Brentford host Bournemouth at Gtech Community Stadium in an important clash at both ends of Premier League table.
Depending upon the result of Brighton’s clash against Liverpool in mid-afternoon, victory could see Brighton go eighth in the table.
Bournemouth meanwhile could go 13th with a win if Leicester, Leeds and Forest all fail to win elsewhere.
Team News
Ivan Toney could return for Brentford after he missed their last two matches with a knee injury.
Pontus Jansson, Frank Onyeka (both hamstring) and Shandon Baptiste (adductor) remain ruled out.
Bournemouth could welcome Jefferson Lerma back into contention after he was rested for their FA Cup defeat against Burnley last weekend.
Adam Smith (suspension), Marcus Tavernier (hamstring), Ryan Fredericks, Junior Stanislas (both knock), Neto (hamstring) and David Brooks (fitness) are all ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Brentford welcome Bournemouth to Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday 14 January, with kick-off at 5:30pm GMT live on Sky Sports; Main Event & Premier League channels.
Stat Attack
- Brentford were held to a goalless draw in their only previous Premier League clash against Bournemouth (D1), back in October 2022.
- Bournemouth are visiting Brentford for the first time in the Premier League but are winless in their last nine visits in all competitions (D4, L5).
- Brentford are yet to avoid defeat to Bournemouth after two previous meetings at Gtech Stadium (W2), as they prevailed 2-1 in December 2020 then 3-1 in May 2021.
- Thomas Frank’s Bees have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven league matches (W3, D3, L1).
- Bournemouth have failed to score in three of their last four away games in Premier League (L4), during which they conceded 11 goals in total across those four away trips.
Prediction
Having enjoyed a good run of form in recent matches, Brentford certainly were disappointing in their FA Cup exit to West Ham last weekend amidst heavy squad rotation, so I do expect a return to their impressive attacking quality if they can quickly get on the front foot.
Bournemouth meanwhile were let down by some atrocious defending and possession control against Burnley, yet they did look good when on the attack so I am hopeful that they can bring the fight into this game but their defence do need to improve if want to take the win.
It doesn’t help that Bournemouth’s away form against the Bees and in general this season has been poor so the odds clearly are against them, especially with Toney set to be back up front for Brentford which could be the difference if he can quickly rediscover his form.
Prediction: Brentford 2-0 Bournemouth
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