While Bournemouth’s new billionaire takeover is edging closer to completion and with their search for a new manager under way, interim head coach Gary O’Neil continues to prove his credentials for the permanent vacancy, despite admitting that he has not thought about taking the reins full time.
The 39-year-old has steered the Cherries on a three-game unbeaten run, accumulating five points in the process, since their humbling 9-0 defeat at Liverpool under the tutelage of Scott Parker at the end of August.
An impressive 3-2 comeback win at Nottingham Forest was followed by a 1-1 draw away at Newcastle United just before the international break, with Philip Billing’s second-half opener cancelled out by Alexander Isak’s converted penalty.
Sitting 12th in the Premier League tableand only four points above the relegation zone, O’Neil will be keen for his side to continue their positive run of form as they bid to stay clear of the bottom three,
and avoiding defeat against Brentford this weekend would see them record a four-game unbeaten run in the Premier League for the first time since October 2018 under former boss Eddie Howe.
Bournemouth have failed to score in their last two home matches since their opening-day victory over Aston Villa. The Cherries, who have never drawn a blank in front of goal in three successive Premier League home games, will be confident of finding the net on Saturday, though, as they have scored in eight of their last 10 meetings against the Bees.
Brentford, meanwhile, were unable to extend their unbeaten run to four matches as they suffered just their second defeat of the season against league leaders Arsenal before the international break.
The Bees had claimed seven points from a possible nine available on home soil prior to the visit of the Gunners, including a 5-2 victory against Leeds United, but strikes from William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira condemned Thomas Frank’s side to a 3-0 loss.
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Nevertheless, Brentford remain in the top half of the Premier League table, level on points with Liverpool in eighth and just four points behind fourth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion, who they face in a couple of weeks’ time.
Brentford have impressed in front of goal so far this term, netting 15 times in seven games which is only bettered by Manchester City (23), Tottenham Hotspur (18) and Arsenal (17), but they have looked vulnerable defensively as they have conceded 12 goals, twice as many compared to this stage last season.
Indeed, clean sheets on the road have been hard to come by for the Bees, who have conceded in each of their last 19 away league matches. They have, however, won four of their last five meetings with Bournemouth – including a 1-0 away victory in April 2021 – so they will fancy their chances of success this weekend.
