Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | November 29, 2015


When reluctant coach Lee Carsley was placed in caretaker charge of Brentford on September 28th, the Londoners were locked together with Monday night hosts Bolton Wanderers on eight points.
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Carsley has since steered the Bees to 16 points from a possible 27. Neil Lennon’s Trotters, meanwhile, have dropped to the foot of the Championship table with three draws in the last two months, and no money left for desperately needed squad investment.
Brentford are narrow, but worthy 13/8 favourites with Coral to beat Bolton and continue their improvement. A win for Carsley’s crew takes them into play-off contention, and the Bees will go just one point shy of the top six following favourable weekend results.
Wanderers are the Championship’s lowest scorers with just 11 goals in 17 games, failing to find the net 10 times. Lennon faces dire financial straits, so odds of 17/10 on a home win aren’t nearly long enough.

A Bees win to nil looks well worth a wager, then, at a enhanced and fabulous 4/1 (max stake £20). The Bolton attack is led by one of veteran target men Shola Ameobi (15/8 to strike anytime) or Emile Heskey (2/1 in that market).
Winger Liam Feeney is their leading marksman, however, with four and he could be considered as a punt to score here at the same price as ex-England frontman Heskey. Brentford have coped with their defensive injuries and suspensions well, so should shackle the physical centre forwards.
The London outfit’s recovery has been led by an ensemble cast stepping up following the sale of star striker Andre Gray, and it could well pay for punters to spread their stakes across attacking trio Philipp Hofmann, Alan Judge and Lasse Vibe.

Denmark international Vibe gives good vibes off as a 5/1 first scorer shout, while Judge, who has been on the Republic of Ireland’s roster and will hope to make the cut for Euro 2016, is available at 2/1 anytime.
John Swift, meanwhile, hardly embarked on Gulliver’s Travels when he left Chelsea on loan for the Bees, and the talented 20-year-old has taken over from Alex Pritchard in adding that unpredictability to the Griffin Park team. Swift’s awesome anytime odds of 11/4 are also worthy of consideration.