Brentford vs Oxford United Predictions

Having failed to win any of their last three, Thomas Frank’s Brentford need a confidence boost. Fortunately, this match against League One’s Oxford, who’re not the most astute side defensively, is an opportunity for them to regain the winning thread and thus give themselves a lift ahead of their next Championship assignment.

Brentford were frustratingly pegged back late in the day against Norwich on New Year’s Day, though Thomas Frank’s men shouldn’t be too disappointed. Despite not getting the desired result, Brentford had plenty of positives to take out of their 1-1 draw. They created more than one of the best teams in the division, while they also did a good job of nullifying the Canaries. A replication of their performance on that occasion against lesser opposition would almost certainly see the Bees record a comfortable victory.

Prior to their game against Norwich, Brentford hadn’t been in the best form at home, but their overall efforts at Griffin Park this season suggest that they can make light work of hurting an Oxford side that has been open in recent times. The Bees are averaging 1.63 expected goals for on home soil, while they top the charts for shots on target at home in the Championship.

While Brentford are very capable of making headway at home, Oxford have been making a habit of giving plenty away on their travels of late. The U’s shipped three goals at Plymouth on New Year’s Day, while they’ve now conceded at least twice in each of their last five travelling matches. They’ve also surrendered an average of 1.46 expected goals during that time.

Going forward, Oxford have made their presence felt on the road of late; they’ve netted at least twice in each of their last three away games, so it would be no surprise if they caught Brentford out. After all, the hosts, who’ve conceded at least once in four of their last five at Griffin Park, tend to give goals away at home. However, given both the disparity in quality and the numbers discussed above, it would be a big surprise if Brentford didn’t easily outscore their League One visitors.

At the prices, a bet on ‘Brentford to Win & Over 2.5 Goals’ is merited. The hosts have more than enough about them to seriously hurt the visitors, though Oxford, who’ve made a habit of being involved in high-scoring games on the road of late, could also get involved in the final third.