MX23RW : Friday, May 7 15:43:31| >> :120:85635:85635:
Apr 24, 2021 at 12.30pm UK at Vitality Stadium
BournemouthBournemouth
0-1
BrentfordBrentford

Lerma (68')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Mbeumo (77')
Jansson (25'), Forss (68'), Toney (80'), Janelt (87')
Jansson (50')

Preview: Bournemouth vs. Brentford - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Bournemouth and Brentford, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Bournemouth and Brentford square off on Saturday afternoon with both clubs looking to build some momentum ahead of the Championship playoffs.

While the Cherries are looking to extend a winning streak which has reached seven matches, the Bees are desperate to end a run of five draws in six games.


Match preview

Bournemouth's Arnaut Danjuma scores against Millwall in the Championship on April 21, 2021© Reuters

When Bournemouth kept Jonathan Woodgate in charge for the remainder of the season, the decision inevitably divided opinion among a fanbase who were aware that the appointment of Thierry Henry was an option for their club.

However, the former Middlesbrough boss has worked wonders at the Vitality Stadium, winning seven games in succession to keep the club in contention for an immediate return to the Premier League.

While the Cherries have kept just one clean sheet in six outings, scoring 18 goals during the same period means that even the most pessimistic of supporters will be dreaming of competing in the top flight next season.

Arnaud Danjum Groeneveld continues to be the standout man in the final third, but a number of his teammates are also stepping up to the plate on a weekly basis.

Although automatic promotion is almost certainly out of their reach, Bournemouth will be eager to get a result against a team who could be their opponents in the playoffs next month.

Cardiff City's Kieffer Moore celebrates scoring their first goal from the penalty spot against Brentford in the Championship on April 20, 2021© Reuters

Possessing a game in hand on their hosts, Brentford will finish above Bournemouth if they can prevail in their remaining four fixtures of the campaign.

With six draws being recorded in eight fixtures, that appears unrealistic, leaving Thomas Frank in a position where he needs to find solutions in the final third.

Five of Brentford's 11 goals since March 12 came in the same game, and all of Ivan Toney's contributions in attack are at risk of going to waste if he does not rediscover his touch over the next month.

The division's top goalscorer has netted just once in five games, and this would be the ideal occasion to get back on track as the Bees look to confirm their playoff spot with three games to spare.

Bournemouth Championship form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Brentford Championship form:
  • D
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • D


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Team News

Brentford manager Thomas Frank pictured on February 10, 2021© Reuters

Bournemouth are likely to be forced into at least one change with Lloyd Kelly being withdrawn through injury before the break against Millwall.

Diego Rico should take his spot at left-back, but that could prove to be the sole alteration with several players having been rested during the closing stages at The Den.

Despite having an extra day of recovery, Frank will almost certainly make changes to his Brentford XI.

Sergi Canos and Saman Ghoddos are both pushing for recalls, particularly with a switch back to a 4-3-3 formation a possibility.

Rico Henry and Josh Dasilva are still out of contention for the visitors.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Stacey, Carter-Vickers, Cook, Rico; Pearson, Lerma; Brooks, Billing, Groenveld; Solanke

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Jansson, Norgaard, Pinnock; Rasmussen, Janelt, Jensen, Mbeumo; Fosu-Henry; Toney, Forss


SM words green background

We say: Bournemouth 2-1 Brentford

With both teams realistically assured of a playoff spot, we may see a free-flowing game on the South coast. That should suit each team, but we still expect Bournemouth to show the greater cutting edge in the final third.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:444274:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9277:

How you voted: Bournemouth vs Brentford

Bournemouth
70.3%
Draw
13.2%
Brentford
16.5%
91
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CNorwich CityNorwich45299773343996
3Brentford452315776413584
4Swansea CitySwansea4523111156371980
5Bournemouth4522111273442977
6Barnsley45238145648877
7Reading451912146052869
8Cardiff CityCardiff4518131465481767
9Queens Park RangersQPR451811165454065
10Middlesbrough451810175550564
11Millwall451517134646062
12Luton TownLuton451711174049-962
13Preston North EndPreston45177214755-858
14Stoke CityStoke451415164852-457
15Blackburn RoversBlackburn451412196052854
16Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest451216173643-752
17Coventry CityCoventry451313194360-1752
18Birmingham CityBirmingham451313193556-2152
19Bristol City45156244565-2051
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield451212214869-2148
21Derby CountyDerby451110243355-2243
22Rotherham UnitedRotherham45118264359-1641
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds451210233758-2140
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe451010253669-3340

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