Brentford can kick-start their league campaign in style

Kick-offs from 7.45pm Tuesday

Brentford v Bristol City
Brentford to win a goal feast looks the way to go in the Sky Bet Championship showdown against Bristol City at Griffin Park.

The Bees have lost their first two games of the season but it’s too early to read much into that.

Dean Smith’s men were good in a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United, bossing possession and the shot count. And they were the better team for long periods in Saturday’s 4-3 defeat by Nottingham Forest – again, they had more shots and possession.

As Smith said, if they continue to play as they have done so far, they will win more games than they lose.

He also promised changes after conceding four against Forest, with strikers Ollie Watkins – a goalscorer in their 3-1 win at Wimbledon in the League Cup – and Neal Maupay, pushing for starts.

Brentford did the double last season over Bristol City, who have scored nine goals in their first three games but aren’t dependable at the back.

Recommendation
Brentford to win & over 2.5 goals
2pts 15-8 Paddy Power

Birmingham v Bolton
Harry Redknapp has already hit the panic button to solve an injury crisis at St Andrews.

Che Adams, a hat-trick hero in their 5-1 League Cup demolition of Crawley, limped out of Saturday’s win against Bristol City while Lukas Jutkiewicz is also struggling.

So Redknapp has splashed out on Luton frontman Isaac Vassell, who is in line to be drafted straight in to action for the home game against promoted Bolton.

None of that should perturb Bolton boss Phil Parkinson, who saw his side learn lessons from their opening 3-2 defeat against Leeds, tightening up in the subsequent 1-1 draw at Millwall.

Bolton’s defence was their strongest suit emerging from League One and with Blues short of firepower, Parky’s posse can avoid defeat.

Recommendation
Bolton or draw double chance
2pts 17-16 188Bet

Reading v Aston Villa
Villa’s 3-0 battering at Cardiff on Saturday means Steve Bruce’s men have now lost nine of their last 12 road trips in the league.

The only wins in that period were at Rotherham and Wigan, both of whom went down.

A second away game in a few days won’t encourage them, especially as it’s at Reading, who are a big-game team under manager Jaap Stam.

The Royals will be disappointed that they didn’t beat Fulham at the weekend despite a one-man advantage for 89 minutes, but they aren’t natural risk-takers – just extremely hard to beat.

It could be tight but Villa definitely shouldn’t be favourites.

Recommendation
Reading draw no bet
1pt Evs Paddy Power, Sky Bet