Brentford will hope to continue their bright start to the season when they host Bournemouth at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.
Brentford, who face Bournemouth next, have started the new season in a form that befitted their performances at the end of the previous campaign., Thomas Frank knows the club’s objectives for this term, and their strong start suggests they will aim for a European finish.
During midweek, Brentford secured passage into the EFL Cup third round with a win over Newport County on penalties and will now face Arsenal at home in the next game of the competition. On to their Premier League endeavours, Brentford have managed two draws and a win to consolidate 9th spot and remain sandwiched between Manchester United and Chelsea.
An unbeaten start to the season so far 🔥
💪 Get behind the boys this weekend at the Gtech ⤵
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 31, 2023
Last weekend, they could not bring their form against Fulham while playing Crystal Palace, as they only managed a draw against the Eagles. Kevin Schade’s opener got cancelled out by a Joachim Andersen equaliser, which will have frustrated Thomas Frank. Now, they have a chance at redemption as they host a struggling Bournemouth side.
Many fans and tacticos were excited by the arrival of Andoni Iraola as a replacement for Gary O’Neil, who did an excellent job for Bournemouth last season. However, with the club deciding to move on, the renowned tactician has not had the best of starts for the Cherries.
Iraola did manage to steer the club into the third round of the EFL Cup courtesy of a five-goal thriller against Championship side Swansea City. But his Premier League record looks awful. After three games on board, Bournemouth have managed just a single point, courtesy of their opening day draw against West Ham United.
Iraola might come under pressure if he cannot manage a positive result in this game against Brentford. The Cherries are in danger of dropping into the bottom three this weekend or the next matchday, as that could add pressure on a team that has looked weak in the opening games.
Team News & Tactics
Brentford
Thomas Frank changed his team’s shape and might change the 4-3-3 shape to a 3-5-2 to face Bournemouth. In positive news, the manager confirmed the return to fitness of Ben Mee, which gives them a new option at the back.
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) September 1, 2023
Mikkel Damsgaard and goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha are doubtful, but Frank insisted the latter could make his matchday squad. With the in-demand Ivan Toney out until mid-January, the confirmed absentees from Brentford are Josh Dasilva and Shannon Baptiste.
With Ben Mee available again, Frank can have three at the back, complete with Ethan Pinnock and Nathan Collins. In midfield, Mathias Jensen and Vitaly Janelt will likely support Christian Norgaard, who will sit at the base of midfield.
Recent Manchester United target Rico Henry will stay beyond tonight’s transfer window and start on Saturday as Brentford’s left-wing back, with Scotsman Aaron Hickey mirroring that role on the right flank. Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo will continue their two-prone attack up front and aim to continue their blossoming partnership without talisman Ivan Toney.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Flekken; Collins, Pinnock, Ben Mee; Hickey, Janelt, Norgaard, Jensen, Henry; Mbeumo, Wissa
Bournemouth
Bournemouth have a long list of injured players on their squad, with as many as seven players probably out of contention for this game. Of those stars, Iron confirmed Adam Smith and Marcus Tavernier are taking part in light training but may not be enough to come into contention for the Brentford clash.
Adam Smith and Marcus Tavernier are training "partly" with the team, says Andoni Iraola 💪
The latest injury news ahead of #BREBOU ⤵️
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) September 1, 2023
New signing Tyler Adams continues to recover from his injury, which could keep the midfield partnership of Philip Billing and Joe Rothwell going into this match. At the back, Illia Zabarnyi and Marcos Sensei will keep their places intact with support from summer arrival Max Aarons and Milos Kerkez at full-backs.
David Brooks, who scored his first goal since his recovery from cancer, will have a place in the starting lineup on the right side of the attack. Ryan Christie will take over the creative burden for the team, although he will expect much support from his teammates.
Dominic Solanke will hope to improve his decent start to the campaign and grow into an important player under Irola this season. Similarly, Antoine Semenyo, who has been given a more vital role in the team, will aim at getting better from the left-hand side of the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Sensei, Kerkez; Billing, Rothwell; Brooks, Christie, Semenyo; Solanke
Key Stats
- Brentford have won their last three home matches against Bournemouth in all competitions.
- Brentford could extend their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions.
- Bournemouth have lost six of their last seven matches in the Premier League.
- Bournemouth have beaten Brentford just once in their last seven encounters.
- Bournemouth have conceded at least two goals in their last three games in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Bryan Mbeumo
The Cameroonian international has been in hot form entering the new season, knowing very well his usual partner in crime, Ivan Toney, will not be around for a long time. Instead, he has found a new partner in Wissa, with the duo combining to good effect.
Mbeumo hit peak performance in the opening two games against Tottenham and Fulham, especially the latter, where he scored a brace. He will hope to retain this current form despite that blip against Crystal Palace and will prove key to Brentford’s chances against Bournemouth.
Prediction
Brentford 3-1 Bournemouth
The Bees can have another statement win of the season, but this time on home soil when they face Bournemouth. Brentford have appeared like a well-drilled side so far this season, and that could show on the pitch against the Cherries on Saturday.
Bournemouth are still understanding the tactics and getting used to new ways, which may see further drop in results, especially against in-form sides. Hence, Brentford enter this game as favourites to clinch three points and consolidate their place in the top half of the table.
