Home banker in West London?
Brentford host Bournemouth on Saturday evening in aiming to build on the excellent first half to the season they have enjoyed.
Thomas Frank’s stock in the dugout appears to be growing by the week, and the Bees sent a statement to the rest of the division in beating Liverpool 3-1 last time out at the league.
Brentford away is becoming one of the hardest matches in the calendar, and the Bees have quietly picked up ten points in four matches against Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Liverpool.
Therefore, it is going to be an uphill task for a side destined for relegation in Bournemouth who have been pretty desperate for the majority of the season.
Shandon Baptiste and Pontus Jansson are out injured, while Ivan Toney, Frank Onyeka and Aaron Hickey are doubtful.
As for the visitors: Adam Smith is suspended, Ryan Fredericks, Neto, Marcus Tavernier, Junior Stanislas and David Brooks are out, while Jefferson Lerma is a doubt.
Process
The Cherries have scored 18 goals from 16.2 expected goals (xG) for so far this season, creating shooting opportunities at an average of 0.9 xGF per game.
Combined with their defensive process, that is a one-way ticket back to the Championship.
Brentford’s attacking process is almost twice as good as the visitors’, they have scored 30 goals from 32.1 xGF this term, creating chances at 1.78 xGF per game.
They are particularly dangerous at home, and for that reason it is easy to see why they are such short favourites to pick up the win.
Bournemouth are now just one point above Everton in 18th place, it will be interesting to see if Gary O’Neil adapts his tactics in looking to battle against the drop from here on in.
Goals?
I am happy to lean on the Asian Handicap to enhance the odds on a Brentford win, Toney’s chance of featuring only makes a defeat more likely for the Cherries.
Brentford have scored in seven of ten.
Brentford have conceded in eight of ten.
Brentford have seen both teams score in six of ten.
Brentford have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
Bournemouth have scored in four of ten.
Bournemouth have conceded in nine of ten.
Bournemouth have seen both teams score in four of ten.
Bournemouth have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
2-0 Brentford, Bees handle teams at home.