Stubborn Boro could frustrate underachieving Brentford

Sky Bet Championship
Sky Sports Football, 5.30pm Friday

Tony Pulis has implemented a defensive approach to great effect since taking over the reins at Middlesbrough and the stubborn Smoggies could take the sting out of Brentford.

Boro are not the most entertaining side to watch in the Sky Bet Championship but they are highly effective and just eight goals conceded in their opening 17 league games highlights the struggles an out-of-sorts Brentford could be faced with.

Prior to the international break, Boro kept four clean sheets in their final five games - only a dynamic Derby mastered a way past - and claiming the scalp of top-flight Crystal Palace in the League Cup is an indicator of what they are capable of.

The Bees, on the other hand, have disappointed since Dean Smith’s switch to Aston Villa and new manager Thomas Frank has just three points to show from his five games in the hotseat.

During that time, Brentford have conceded four in defeat to Preston and shipped three in a loss at West London rivals QPR. Their sole win came at home to Millwall but Boro are on a different level and the Bees can expect things to be much tougher.

Brentford play an attractive style of football and create plenty of opportunities, which is why bookmakers are always keen to keep them onside.

However, they find themselves 15th for a reason and with Ollie Watkins expected to miss out, more pressure will be placed on the shoulders of free-scoring Frenchman Neal Maupay, who has just recovered from injury himself.

Boro have flicked between two formations - 4-3-3 and 3-5-2 - this season but against a Brentford side blessed with an array of attacking talent expect Pulis to stick to a four-man defence and rely on Everton loanee Mohamed Besic, Johnny Howson and Adam Clayton to control things from midfield.

Pulis will set up his men to frustrate the Bees but in the form of Jordan Hugill, Britt Assombalonga and Martin Braithwaite they have plenty of star quality in the final third too and claiming maximum points doesn't look beyond them.

Recommendation
Middlesbrough draw no bet
2pts 11-10 Betfred, Paddy Power, Sky Bet

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Brentford
Chris Mepham and Neal Maupay are fit to feature. Striker Emiliano Marcondes is also available to play. Said Benrahma and Ollie Watkins are recovering from injuries.

Middlesbrough
The game could come too soon for Ryan Shotton but other than that Tony Pulis has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Key stat
Middlesbrough have lost just one of their eight away league games.

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