Bournemouth and Brentford will both be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they lock horns at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
The two clubs will be meeting in the top flight for the very first time, with this fixture to become the 109th to be played in each of the top-four tiers of English football.
Match preview
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While Bournemouth's new billionaire takeover is edging closer to completion and with their search for a new manager under way, interim head coach Gary O'Neil continues to prove his credentials for the permanent vacancy, despite admitting that he has not thought about taking the reins full time.
The 39-year-old has steered the Cherries on a three-game unbeaten run, accumulating five points in the process, since their humbling 9-0 defeat at Liverpool under the tutelage of Scott Parker at the end of August.
An impressive 3-2 comeback win at Nottingham Forest was followed by a 1-1 draw away at Newcastle United just before the international break, with Philip Billing's second-half opener cancelled out by Alexander Isak's converted penalty.
Sitting 12th in the Premier League table and only four points above the relegation zone, O'Neil will be keen for his side to continue their positive run of form as they bid to stay clear of the bottom three, and avoiding defeat against Brentford this weekend would see them record a four-game unbeaten run in the Premier League for the first time since October 2018 under former boss Eddie Howe.
Bournemouth have failed to score in their last two home matches since their opening-day victory over Aston Villa. The Cherries, who have never drawn a blank in front of goal in three successive Premier League home games, will be confident of finding the net on Saturday, though, as they have scored in eight of their last 10 meetings against the Bees.
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Brentford, meanwhile, were unable to extend their unbeaten run to four matches as they suffered just their second defeat of the season against league leaders Arsenal before the international break.
The Bees had claimed seven points from a possible nine available on home soil prior to the visit of the Gunners, including a 5-2 victory against Leeds United, but strikes from William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira condemned Thomas Frank's side to a 3-0 loss.
Nevertheless, Brentford remain in the top half of the Premier League table, level on points with Liverpool in eighth and just four points behind fourth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion, who they face in a couple of weeks' time.
Brentford have impressed in front of goal so far this term, netting 15 times in seven games which is only bettered by Manchester City (23), Tottenham Hotspur (18) and Arsenal (17), but they have looked vulnerable defensively as they have conceded 12 goals, twice as many compared to this stage last season.
Indeed, clean sheets on the road have been hard to come by for the Bees, who have conceded in each of their last 19 away league matches. They have, however, won four of their last five meetings with Bournemouth – including a 1-0 away victory in April 2021 – so they will fancy their chances of success this weekend.
Team News
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Bournemouth summer signing Joe Rothwell is yet to play for the Cherries due to a thigh injury, and this weekend's game will likely come too soon for the midfielder, while David Brooks is also expected to miss out with a hamstring problem.
Captain Lloyd Kelly, Ben Pearson and Ryan Fredericks, who all missed the draw with Newcastle due to minor injuries, are still doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
O'Neil is unlikely to make too many changes, if any, to his starting lineup, with Billing – who has scored two goals in his last two games – set to continue in an advanced midfield role behind central striker Dominic Solanke.
As for Brentford, Christian Norgaard and Ethan Pinnock are both ruled out with respective Achilles and knee injuries, while Keane Lewis-Potter is doubtful after pulling out of the England Under-21s squad with a knock.
After using a 3-5-2 formation against Arsenal, Frank could revert to a 4-3-3 system this weekend with centre-back Kristoffer Ajer potentially dropping out and attacker Yoane Wissa joining Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo in the front three.
Frank Onyeka, Shandon Baptiste and Mikkel Damsgaard will all be pushing to start in midfield, but Josh Dasilva, Vitaly Janelt and Mathias Jensen are the most likely trio to play in the middle of the pitch.
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Neto; Smith, Mepham, Senesi, Zemura; Cook, Lerma; Tavernier; Billing, Christie; Solanke
Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Hickey, Jansson, Mee, Henry; Jensen, Janelt, Dasilva; Mbeumo, Toney, Wissa
We say: Bournemouth 3-2 Brentford
While Bournemouth have struggled to find the net in recent home games, we can see them breaching Brentford's leaky backline on Saturday, and an open contest could be on the cards at the Vitality Stadium.
The Bees will be optimistic about success in this fixture should Toney continue to fire in front of goal, but we feel the hosts can keep their momentum going, with O'Neil guiding his side to a thrilling victory in front of their own supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
