Bournemouth v Brentford: Championship play-off, first leg – live! | Football

Tonight’s match officials

• Referee: Tim Robinson
• Referee’s assistants: Ian Cooper and Wade Smith
• Fourth Official: Dean Whitestone

A reminder: VAR is not being used in the play-offs and the “away goals” rule is not implemented in the semi-finals.

Thomas Frank speaks

“I think it has definitely been the fuel throughout the season and the players have used it brilliantly,” he said of last year’s play-off final defeat to Fulham. “We have spoken about how fantastic our season has been and now it is the cup tournament of the season. It is still a fuel but also an experience that, even if you do everything perfect, you can still lose a match.

“We need to go into the match with that burning desire. Leave everything out there. Be brave. Do what we normally do. It is not like an exam where you do well and get your A+ because there a lot of things things can affect it.

“Even if we perform to A+ we are not actually sure we will get the outcome we want but we are ready, we will attack and know we’re going to play against good teams and a good team in Bournemouth who have done fantastic and then it will be down to the fine, fine margins in the second leg.”

Jonathan Woodgate speaks

“We know it’s going to be difficult, but we’re looking forward to the challenge,” said Bournemouth’s manager in an interview with the BBC yesterday. “We’ve got some experienced and quality players to lean on in our dressing room when times gets tough. They’re an outstanding team and no doubt they’ll be favourites.

“In two-legged ties, you have to try and stay in the game as long as you can. There’s lots of people in this squad and in my backroom staff who had experience of these big two-legged play-offs, so we’re hoping that will stand us in good stead.”

Early team news

Full-backs Rico Henry and Henrik Dalsgaard remain sidelined for Brentford, while midfielder Josh Dasilva and Shandon Baptiste are also out.

Bournemouth manager Jonathan Woodgate is expected to be without Junior Stanislas, who has been out for a fortnight with a hamstring injury. Long term absentee Lewis Cook is also out with an ACL injury and will play no part in these play-offs.

Following their almost heroic failure to somehow avoid promotion from the Championship last season, Brentford find themselves in the play-offs again. They face a Bournemouth side who are eager to join Norwich City and Watford in returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking following their relegation last season.

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Approximately 2,300 home fans will be allowed into the 11,329-capacity Vitality Stadium for this evening’s game following the easing of lockdown restrictions and their support will be welcomed by Jonathan Woodgate and his players in the first leg of this playt-off semi-final.

Unbeaten in 12 matches, Brentford are the form side coming into this game, while Bournenouth line up on the back of three consecutive defeats. Kick-off is at 6pm (BST) but stay tuned in the meantime for team news and build-up.