Cardiff City are the hottest team in the Championship. The Bluebirds have not dropped out of the top four all season, but only recently has the team made a sustained move toward first place.
Cardiff's incredible form has coincided with the near collapse of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves once unassailable lead has now been dwindled to just three points. Cardiff could find themselves level on points after Tuesday night, but the Bluebirds can't take their eyes off of this week's opponents Brentford.
If there was an Achilles heel to Cardiff this term, it would be the team's away form. The side are sixth in the table away from home. Neil Warnock's team has only secured 28 of 51 points away from Wales; and five of Cardiff's seven losses have been on the road. If there was an opportunity to drop points, Tuesday night at Brentford would be it.
Warnock's team is undefeated in their last 10 games. Eight of those fixtures have ended in Cardiff victories. The team has tallied 19 goals during that time span while allowing five goals. Bluebirds goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has kept 16 clean sheets this term. The last time the two sides met, Etheridge kept Brentford out of his goal, as Cardiff won 2-0. Brentford's hot and cold form could see the Cardiff No. 1 keep another shutout in midweek.
Consistency has been Brentford's biggest problem this season, and it is the reason the Bees will end the term without cracking the top six.
The good news is Brentford have won seven of 17 games at home this term, and only two games have ended in defeat. The Bees are a tremendous +13 at home. Two of the team's last three matches at Griffin Park have ended without a win, however.
Brentford's leading goal scorer Ollie Watkins has tallied 10 goals this term. Watkins has scored three goals in his last four matches and comes into Tuesday night in good form. The 22-year-old may be on his way to another club after this term, and he will want to impress in Tuesday night's big match.
Cardiff's goal scoring has come by committee this season. Currently, Junior Hoilett leads the team in scoring with eight goals. Fifteen players, in all, have scored for Cardiff this term, and the team's next goal could come from anyone as Hoilett hasn't scored in his last six matches. Brentford have allowed just 42 goals this season and starve opponents of the ball by keeping 55.2% possession per game. Hoilett's goal drought could continue.
Despite Brentford's great home form and near invincibility at Griffin Park, Cardiff are on a mission for automatic promotion. The Bluebirds should get another win and as the side continue to reel in league leaders Wolverhampton in the final weeks of the Championship season.