Brentford/Charlton

Tonight I am venturing out of my Championship comfort zone to have a look at a League One fixture (albeit in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy); it's Brentford v Charlton Athletic.

Brentford have been much better away from home this season; their last 5 away matches have been wins and 5 away victories is the highest in League 1. However, at home, they have lost 4 matches which is the joint second lowest number of home defeats after Walsall. Charlton have also done really quite well away from home with victories at Peterborough, Swindon, Southend and Carlisle. Last time these two teams met, at the beginning of October, Brentford won a rare match at home. Brentford are on run of good form at the moment but Charlton's last match was a rare home defeat to Walsall. Despite that, I think I am trying to say that I fancy Charlton to win but it will be close.

I am going 3 from Charlton and 2 from Brentford. Both teams featured before (Charlton twice).

Brentford's best players last time they were on Picklive were Spillane (Defender - 58 points), Woodman (Defender - 55), O'Connor (Midfielder - 50). Woodman also has Brentford's second most assists and has scored 2 goals this season so he's probably in. Spillane also has two assists to his name this season. Brentford have 2 strikers on 7 goals each; MacDonald and Alexander, but none particularly shone last time.

Charlton have a lot more to recommend I think, especially in midfield. After appearing on Picklive twice, two players have average scores (over the two games) of 55+; Francis (Defender - 63) and Wagstaff (Midfielder - 59). Wagstaff is Brentford's third top scorer with a respectable 7 goals and 4 assists so far. Francis scored a massive 76 points against Luton and Wagstaff scored 63 (admittedly with 2 goals). Defender Matt Fry will also make my team, he is on loan from West Ham. Midfielder Johnnie Jackson is also having a great season being Charlton's top scorer with 9 goals from midfield. And despite not appearing many times this season, midfielder Kyel Reid has the most assists for Charlton, with 7. He might get a run out in this cup game.

So 3 from Charlton out of Francis, Wagstaff, Fry, Jackson and Reid, and 2 from Brentford out of Spillane and Woodman.

Good luck!
Robin (Warriors)