Vitality Stadium — August 26, 2025
Two Premier League midweights enter the Vitality cauldron, with one prize on the table: a ticket to the third round of the EFL Cup. Bournemouth rise at home, Brentford hunt on the road — but only one advances.
Ended a 5-game winless streak with a tight 1–0 vs Wolves.
4 of the last 5 matches under 2.5 goals → compact, cautious, surgical.
Unbeaten in 4 of the last 5 at home — the Vitality Stadium is no easy raid.
Tavernier’s early strike vs Wolves underlined their weapon: fast starts.
Weakness: Injuries cut depth — Lewis Cook and Enes Ünal are still out.
Strength: Evanilson + creative midfielders = just enough cutting edge.
Lost the opener to Forest but bounced back: Ouattara scored 12 minutes into his debut.
BTTS landed in 5 of the last 7 games → they scored, but they conceded.
Key absentees: Janelt, Nunes, Konak, and Maghoma are all sidelined.
Yoane Wissa’s uncertain future leaves a shadow over the attack.
Weakness: Defensive leaks, absentees reducing balance.
Strength: Dango Ouattara has motivation: scoring against his ex-club.
Brentford won both meetings last season.
5 wins in the last 7 vs Bournemouth, unbeaten in that stretch.
Last Bournemouth victory? 2021 playoff semi-final. Since then: only pain.
But numbers suggest Bournemouth’s home form bends the trend.
Master Algor Prediction Bournemouth 2–1 Brentford The Cherries survive, but not without scars. Goals traded, momentum swinging, and the home edge decides it.
Bournemouth Win + Over 2.5 Goals Both Teams to Score Correct Score: 2–1 Bournemouth
Bournemouth: chance to build belief under Iraola and prove Wolves wasn’t a fluke.
Brentford: shake off injuries, avoid a season narrative of fragility.
Expect a tight but fiery cup clash: tackles, tempo, and a decisive late goal at the Vitality.
