‘If I had to put my neck on the block…’ – Exclusive: Phillips predicts Brentford v West Brom
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips expects a tight encounter between West Brom and Brentford on Friday night when Slaven Bilic’s side make their way to Griffin Park.
Albion have failed to win and failed to score in their last three Championship fixtures but still managed to move top of the league with their draw against Birmingham last week.
As for Brentford, they moved within a point of third-placed Fulham and eight points of West Brom and Leeds with their 2-0 win away at Craven Cottage.
It is a huge match on Friday night and Phillips cannot split the two sides as he predicts the game to end in a draw.
“I think the tempo will grow as the game goes on because both teams are going for promotion. I can see the teams going at each other,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“It’s never going to be the same as it would be if there was a crowd there but and they could freshen up [their starting line-ups].
“I expect a tight, tight game. If I had to put my neck on the block, I would probably go down the route of a draw.
“I don’t think Slaven would be completely satisfied but any result down at Brentford is a good result and if you can get a point, they’re not getting any nearer to West Brom.”
West Brom versus Brentford is not the only big game this week as on Saturday, Leeds welcome Fulham to Elland Road.
Phillips has called on the Baggies to crank up the pressure on Leeds by getting a positive result at Brentford less than 24 hours before Marcelo Bielsa and Scott Parker face off.
“It’s a big, big weekend.,” Phillips added. “It would be magnificent if West Brom can get a result and Leeds have to play again after them. It just puts pressure on everyone else.
“There’s an awful lot to play for this weekend for those four teams.”
It would be a brilliant weekend if Albion can beat Brentford and Leeds beat Fulham.
While it would be nice to win the Championship title, finishing in the top-two is the most important thing and points taken off the chasing pack has to take priority over Leeds winning points.
In other West Brom news, Bilic is eyeing up a move for this West Ham defender.
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