Bournemouth host Brentford at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon as the visitors continue to search for their first away win in the Premier League this season. 

It is a fixture that has mostly been contested in the third and fourth tiers of English football, most recently as January 2013, but now it will take place on a top-flight stage for the first time. 

Bournemouth will be eager to build upon the form they went into the international break with, which had seen them earn two draws and produce a thrilling 3-2 comeback win away to Nottingham Forest since the appointment of interim head coach Gary O'Neil in August. 

The Cherries sit 12th in the table having earned eight points so far, a point less than this weekend's guests, and are setting a strong foundation at home this season with two clean sheets from their opening three fixtures. 

Thomas Frank's team will have to overcome a resolute side in order to return to winning ways after their 3-0 home defeat to Arsenal before the break, but the Bees have a strong recent record against their upcoming opponents with four wins in their last five meetings. 

The only dent in the record comes from their last trip to the Vitality in May 2021 which gave then Jonathan Woodgate's side the advantage going into the Championship play-off semi-final second leg. 

Despite extending their aggregate lead to two in the fifth minute of the second leg, their previous meeting proved to be a historic one for the Bees as they went on to score three in response en route to securing their first season in the top-flight since 1944/45. 

Team news 

Bournemouth

The hosts will once again be without captain Lloyd Kelly as the 23-year-old continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained in training before their draw to Newcastle. O'Neil is "desperate" to have his centre-half back but is unsure when he will return to action. 

"We’re not 100 per cent sure how long he’ll be, to be honest. The physios are working with him hard on getting him back as soon as possible, obviously."

O'Neil will also have to contend with the absences of Ryan Fredericks, Joe Rothwell and Ben Pearson, who the interim head coach has said are making great progress in their recoveries from injury, as well as David Brooks, who is recovering from a hamstring problem sustained in a development game earlier this month. 

Brentford 

There is one new addition to Brentford's injury list after Keane Lewis-Potter damaged an ankle ligament in training before he was set to join the England Under-21 squad. 

Christian Nørgaard remains sidelined with an achilles problem but is expected to return in a few weeks, while Ethan Pinnock is making good progress and is close to making a return after featuring in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Reading during the international break. 

Likely line-ups 

Bournemouth

Neto; Smith, Mepham, Senesi, Zemura; Cook, Lerma; Tavernier, Billing, Christie; Solanke. 

Brentford

Raya; Ajer, Jansson, Mee; Hickey, Jensen, Janelt, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney, Damsgaard. 

Key players

Bournemouth: Philip Billing 

An unused substitute in Denmark's Nations League fixtures against Croatia and France, Billing will be keen to get back onto the pitch and continue the form that has seen him become Bournemouth's top scorer this season. 

The September Player of the Month nominee will be aiming to bag his third goal in successive matches, after scoring a thunderbolt against Forest that was followed up by a well-executed goal at Newcastle a week later, against a club he is yet to find the net against in his previous four attempts. 

Billing will be a physical presence in attack, with his hold-up play being crucial if the hosts are to get something from this game. Against Forest he showed his ability from distance and given Brentford's tendency to concede from outside the area, if Billing is afforded the time then he could punish Thomas Frank's side. 

 

Brentford: Mikkel Damsgaard

After an impressive appearance off the bench in the defeat to Arsenal and the absence of Lewis-Potter through injury, Damsgaard could be in contention to make his full Premier League debut. 

Opportunities have been limited for the 22-year-old since his arrival from Sampdoria in August following an injury-ridden 2021/22 season, but this weekend's fixture could be the one where he can showcase his talent. 

He looked sharp during the international break and registered an assist in Denmark's 2-0 win against France, setting up Kasper Dolberg's opener. The player is feeling 100% ahead of the game and will be a key creative outlet for the Bees whether he starts or comes off the bench. 

Match details 

Where is the game being played? 

Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth

What time is kick-off? 

The kick-off is at 15:00 (BST) on Saturday, 1 October.

How can I watch? 

This game is not being broadcasted in the United Kingdom. 

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