Bournemouth welcome Brentford to the Vitality Stadium in the first leg of their 2020-21 Sky Bet Championship Play-Off semi-final.
This match will mark the first return of fans to a game across all three EFL divisions since a trial period in December at selected stadiums.
Bournemouth qualified for the play-offs after finishing sixth at end of regular season, whilst Brentford finished third and missed out on promotion by four points.
Team News
Bournemouth have no fresh injury concerns to report as Junior Stanislas looks set to sit out the first leg with a hamstring strain, which kept him out of their final day loss to Stoke.
Lewis Cook remains ruled out with a knee injury until next season.
Brentford have no fresh injury concerns to report as Bryan Mbeumo looks to return to the starting lineup, having been dropped to the bench in their 3-1 final day win at Bristol City.
Josh Dasilva (hip), Rico Henry (hamstring) and Henrik Dalsgaard (knee) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- This is Bournemouth’s first-ever post-season Play-Off clash against Brentford.
- Bournemouth have won just one of their last six meetings against Brentford (W1, D2, L3).
- Brentford have lost three of their last five trips to Bournemouth (W1, D1, L3).
- Bournemouth won their only previous play-off appearance, gaining promotion to League One at end of 2002-03 season.
- Brentford have failed to win any of their eight previous play-offs, although they have advanced to the Final in two of their last three play-off appearances.
Prediction
Having conceded four goals across their last three matches without scoring en route to consecutive defeats, Bournemouth definitely have to raise their game here because it isn’t like Jonathan Woodgate rested first-team regulars in those losses.
I however am heartened by how well they did play in those matches yet were simply outplayed in attack through poor finishing, so hopefully they can find that extra gear as if they were simply saving energy in those games ahead of this encounter.
Brentford look to have found their groove again coming into these Play-Offs because momentum is probably more key for this team compared to other clubs, especially given their poor play-off record but they can take heart from a clinical win here last month.
In fact, I feel that Brentford will have no better chance of promotion given their attacking quality with Ivan Toney particularly in fierce form, so I do expect them to come here and try to seize control heading into their home leg.
This therefore should be a good match but if Brentford play like they did against Bristol City just over a week ago, I can see them gaining the advantage heading into Saturday’s return leg.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford
Result: Bournemouth 1-0 Brentford
Leave a Reply