27 Sept 2022/ Liam Mould
Gary O’Neil’s Bournemouth will aim to go four unbeaten as they host Brentford in Dorset on Saturday afternoon.
After their opening-day triumph over Aston Villa, the Cherries currently sit in their highest position of the season, with only two sides separating them and the Bees in 9th place.
Their visitors would be hoping they will be travelling to the South Coast on stronger form. Brentford’s 3-0 defeat at home to Arsenal before the international break may require a quick reset ahead of the weekend’s encounter.
O’Neil, who was nominated for September’s Premier League Manager of the Month, comes into the encounter sides on hot form. Coming from behind away at Nottingham Forest and holding on to a draw against a strong Newcastle side, would deter Cherries been viewed as the underdogs.
“The boys have given me everything”, he said. “They stuck to the plan against Newcastle and showed real good quality and resilience.
“We did not take all three last week, but we showed great work, that we can definitely build on.”
However, Thomas Frank’s side will be pleased to hear Bournemouth’s lack of victories at the Vitalty Stadium; Bournemouth’s last three points was against Villa on the opening day.
The Sunday-afternoon defeat to the Gunners was only their second defeat of the season but will hope to avoid a slip up to recently-promoted sides, paticuarly away from home, with Brentford’s defeat to Fulham, providing little confidence for O’Neil’s side.
Saturday’s clash will be the first between the two sides in the Premier League. Brentford knocked the Cherries of the play-off’s to delay Bournemouth’s return to the top-flight in the 2020/21 EFL Championship campaign, and a Bryan Mbuemo goal secured all three points at Dean Court during the regular campaign.
Head-to head record does certainly swing in Frank’s favour, with the West-London outfit winning four of the last six.
The Bees will also be hoping their top-goalscorer Ivan Toney is in the mood on Saturday, as poacher will aim to add to his five already this season.
The former-Peterborough United striker said ahead of his recent call-up to the England squad: “I feel like I have confidence in myself.
“Going straight to the senior squad is a big achievement for me and I am thankful to Brentford and Thomas (Frank) for that.
“I will take it all in my stride and hopefully I get more oppurtinies like this.”
Toney’s personal boost and the head-to-head record may give the Bees some well-needed confidence as they look desperate to go back to winning ways on Saturday.
Bournemouth’s recent form may suggest a strong showing. The character showed following the heavy 9-0 defeat to Liverpool has shown that the Cherries can be a threat in the Premier League.