BOURNEMOUTH entertain Brentford on Saturday with the pressure off for both sides and the Cherries set for their last hoe game of the season.
This is about as meaningless as it gets in the English Premier League, although Bournemouth will be keen to cement a top half finish and maybe even overtake West Ham United into ninth. Their two-game winning streak ended at Arsenal at the weekend, but that's hardly a disgrace.
They haven't lost at the Vitality since Manchester City edged a win there in February and they are visited by Brentford, who are safe and are playing for prize money.
The Bees are involved in their own mini-league with Everton and Crystal Palace with a finish as high as 14th the prize. They fought out a tame, dreary goalless draw with Fulham at the weekend.
After a worrying nine-game run without a win, consecutive wins over Sheffield United and Luton Town ended any jitters about going down and they've always looked unlikely to be dragged into a relegation battle in reality.
How the bookies view it: Cherries good things
Bournemouth are just odds-on across the board here with no one going evens…yet. They are 19/20 with Paddy Power. Brentford are 13/5 with bet365 and the draw is 29/10 with Coral.
Recent head to heads: Not much in it
The sides battled out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Brentford Community Stadium back in September. Brentford won the last high profile game between them in the Championship play-offs three years ago,
Players to watch: Kluivert a danger
Justin Kluivert needs one more goal this season to take his tally to double figures in all competitions for the season for Bournemouth. He's scored in each of Bournemouth's last three home games and the Dutch striker is 9/4 to score anytime with bet365.
Yoane Wissa has been in fine form this season after 13 goals for his club and his country, Congo. He is 12/5 to score anytime with UniBet.
Probable line-ups:
Bournemouth are without Chris Mepham, Ryan Fredericks, Milos Kerkez, Tyler Adams, Marcus Tavernier and Luis Sinisterra, while Brentford are missing Ben Mee, Rico Henry,Aaron Hickey and Josh Dasilva.
Bournemouth: Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kelly; Ouattara, Cook, Scott, Kluivert; Solanke, Unal
Brentford: Flekken; Ajer, Collins, Pinnock, Reguilon; Janelt, Norgaard, Jensen; Mbeumo, Toney, Schade.
Anything else catch the eye? Cherries strong at home
Bournemouth are strong at home and look solid shouts to get another three points on the south coast against a Bees side who really should be on their holidays.
Brentford have lost 12 of their 18 away games so far this season and aren't the best travellers and Bournemouth should have too much here.
With the pressure off for both teams, there's no reason why there shouldn't be goals here at both ends. Five of Bournemouth's last six games at home have gone over 2.5 goals and there was a four-goal thriller between the teams earlier this season.
Sadly, over 2.5 goals is as short as 1/2, so take the 6/5 from Paddy Power on over 3.5 goals on Saturday.
This English Premier League match between Bournemouth and Brentford will be played on May 11, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Bournemouth vs Brentford prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
