Brentford-Bournemouth is a match valid for the 20th day of the Premier League and is played on Saturday at 18:30: statistics, TV, formations, predictions.
The FA Cup has brought no joy to either Brentford or Bournemouth but neither coach will be tearing their hair out at the moment. Thomas Frank, coach of the Londoners, has already shown that he attaches little importance to domestic cups: in November he exited the League Cup with a League Two side, Gillingham; last weekend instead he faced West Ham (theoretically a derby) with several second lines, surrendering ten minutes from the end to a goal from Benrahma.
Pure Gary O’Neil, coach of the Cherries, has other things to worry about. His Bournemouth are in a danger zone in the standings and the cup can only take second place. Last Saturday the Rossoneri were overwhelmed 2-4 by Burnley, a team that is dominating the cadet championship. Defeat that added to those suffered since the second half of the season began. The performance of Solanke and his team-mates in the Premier League since Boxing Day has been disastrous: the Cherries have never conceded less than two goals against Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Manchester United, scoring none. Having taken over from Scott Parker in September, O’Neil, after a positive start, has been somewhat lost and the league table is starting to become worrying again. The Rossoneri’s defence continues to concede repeatedly – with 39 goals conceded it is the most perforated in the Premier League – and the attack is scoring less than in the first months.
Brentford’s moment of brilliance continued, as they had thrashed Liverpool 3-1 at the Community Stadium before surrendering to West Ham in the FA Cup, securing their second successive victory after the derby against the Hammers. Frank’s side are unbeaten for six rounds and are currently ninth in the table, just two points behind Jurgen Klopp’s Reds. Brentford have done particularly well in front of their own fans, losing only to top-of-the-table Arsenal.
Solanke
The Prediction
Frank should get back his goal scorer Toney, who was absent with a physical problem against West Ham in the FA Cup. The English striker seems to be burning up, doing everything he can to be in the match. But even without him the Bees appear to be favourites: it would be no surprise if they managed to keep their goal unbeaten as well.
Brentford-Bournemouth’s likely line-up
- BRENTFORD (3-5-2): Raya; Zanka, Mee, Pinnock; Roerslev, Norgaard, Janelt, Jensen, Henry; Mbeumo, Wissa.
- BOURNEMOUTH (4-4-2): Travers; Stacey, Mepham, Senesi, Kelly; Christie, Cook, Lerma, Billing; Moore, Solanke.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0
