Juventus are ready to step up their pursuit of Bournemouth and Argentina defender Marcos Senesi, 28, whose contract expires at the end of the season. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian)., external
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Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesHaving bowed out of the FA Cup in the third round, Bournemouth's fans would have been able to watch the weekend's fifth-round ties dispassionately.
While the Cherries' third-round conquerors Newcastle were dispatched by Manchester City – as Bournemouth themselves were in last season's quarter-finals – eyes may have been drawn to Monday's game between West Ham and Brentford, the teams who had knocked the Cherries out of the EFL Cup in the past two seasons.
And it was winger Dango Ouattara, who became Brentford's record signing when they paid Bournemouth £42m for him last summer, under the spotlight after seeing his 'Panenka' penalty saved as the Bees bowed out.
"What was he thinking?" was the common reaction. Well, Bournemouth's followers would have known it was not Dango's first rodeo. The Burkina Faso international scored with a Panenka in a penalty shootout after a Cherries pre-season friendly against Arsenal in California in July 2024.
Ouattara was also successful from 12 yards in last season's FA Cup fifth round as the Cherries overcame Wolves. This time, his technique involved not taking a run-up. Unorthodox, but two out of two scored in Bournemouth's colours.
And while overhauling any of the current top six may prove too tall an order for Andoni Iraola's side in their final nine league games, Brentford – in seventh place, four points above the Cherries – will firmly be in their sights.
Battles with Brentford are nothing new. Only Brighton (114) have faced the Cherries more times in league football than Brentford (110), and when cup games are taken into account, the Bees are now Bournemouth's most frequent opponents in competitive football, with 125 games overall – although older supporters on both sides are probably still pinching themselves that it is now a regular Premier League fixture, after years spent in the lower divisions.
What Brentford and Bournemouth will be aware of, however, is that every point is crucial when the final Premier League table is concerned – and not just because of the merit-based financial bonuses that come with each place.
With England still on course to earn a fifth Champions League place, while the two EFL Cup finalists and four of the eight remaining FA Cup contenders reside in the top six, the chance for clubs like Brentford or Bournemouth to win a ticket to Europe has never been greater.
Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Manchester United are all interested in Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola. The 43-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season. (i paper), external
Celtic right-back Julian Araujo could be set for an international recall with Mexico for the first time in nine months after head coach Javier Aguirre revealed he has been in talks with the on-loan Bournemouth 24-year-old. (Scottish Sun), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesBournemouth fan Josh Wyatt discusses the Cherries' chances of earning European football with Jono Holmes on BBC Radio Solent, after Andoni Iraola's side drew five of their last nine games.
Wyatt was asked if the draws are costly in their push for European football, and said: "If you asked me the question two weeks ago if Bournemouth would get into the European football, I would be confident but I think Bournemouth have had a really good run of fixtures.
"If we are going to get in Europe, we need to win some of these games.
"We have a big chance still but we do have some tough games coming up. I would have liked to have won maybe two or three of those draws because now Bournemouth have decided their own destiny.
"If we didn't get European football this year there are still plenty of positives."
Will draws cost the Cherries European football?
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Tom Jordan
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter hitting that magical 40-point mark at the start of March, the Cherries can sit back and relax somewhat for the remaining couple of months of the season.
There is still plenty to play for though, and with those European places only a few points from their grasp, Bournemouth fans can continue to dream about their first European adventure.
But with sunshine - often comes rain, so in a world where the Cherries did happen to clinch a spot to compete in Europe, what are the potential pitfalls they'd inevitably face?
It is common knowledge that the well-established elite clubs, more often than not, will have a right good time - and can continue strong Premier League campaigns alongside a nice jaunt in Europe.
But despite a remarkable rise, Bournemouth are far from one of the giants, and we have already seen the heavy weight it can place on sides with squads of a smaller and less experienced nature.
Both Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are enjoying their own European escapades right now, but it's almost definitely meant a significant drop-off in their domestic campaigns.
But can I really suggest that a European excursion should be avoided in case the club dip in the Premier League somewhat?
I can not!
Football is all about those moments, memories and euphoria you have with your friends and family in the stands - and for little old Bournemouth to be able to experience such a thing would be nothing short of amazing for their supporters.
So I'd suggest a "cross that bridge" approach to the Cherries. Go and attack the final few months and give those fans something they've never witnessed before - it'd certainly be something we would never forget.
Find more from Tom Jordan at Back of the Net, external
Newcastle are showing a strong interest in signing versatile English midfielder Marcus Tavernier, 26, from Bournemouth. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesBournemouth were ultimately reliant on Rayan himself to make his move to England happen.
The 19-year-old forward has impressed club officials since arriving at Vitality Stadium in a £24.7m deal from Vasco da Gama.
Eye-catching dribbles and shots have produced two goals and an assist in his first six games, meaning he is delivering output beyond expectations given he had not had a pre-season.
However, the move may not have gone through had it not been for the total buy-in of Rayan and his representatives.
Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg and clubs in Saudi Arabia were ready to rival Bournemouth in January, while English clubs in the Champions League wanted him to wait until the summer.
Yet, Rayan simply wanted to play regular football and avoid the fate of compatriots Endrick and Vitor Roque, who both needed to leave Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively to secure regular minutes during the formative years of their careers.
That is why Bournemouth appealed, with Rayan refusing alternative options in a bid to play regularly after Antoine Semenyo departed for Manchester City in January.
There remains cautious optimism on the south coast. Bournemouth's scouting suggested Rayan would be physically capable of adapting to the Premier League and, while he does not speak English, he has enough Spanish to communicate with manager Andoni Iraola.
The deal also includes a 100m euro (£86.9m) release clause that can be activated at any time, highlighting the possibility that he could leave if he realises his potential. However, Bournemouth would still expect to make a substantial profit after avoiding the inclusion of a sell-on clause.
Rayan, though, is not expected to push for a quick exit as he looks to build his career in Europe through a Bournemouth pathway that is becoming increasingly attractive to young players.
Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesThe feeling around Vitality Stadium at full-time on Tuesday evening was one of frustration.
Frustration that Bournemouth had once again failed to beat their bogey side Brentford, which they have not done in a regular-season league game in 11 attempts since 2014, after creating the better chances in Tuesday's goalless draw.
Frustration that Ryan Christie missed a gilt-edged first-half chance when through with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Double frustration after Marcus Tavernier hit the post twice in the second half.
Triple frustration after TV replays appeared to show Tavernier having his ankles clipped by a defender as he was about to take one of those shots. (TNT Sports co-commentator Robbie Savage, a man not known for any particular pro-Bournemouth leanings, immediately called it as a definite penalty. Naturally the Cherries camp agreed, but the video assistant referee did not).
And while stretching their unbeaten run to nine games was welcome, there remains overall frustration that four of the last five of those games have been draws, keeping Andoni Iraola's side tantalisingly adrift of the European places, when turning two or three of those draws into wins (even at the expense of a loss or two) would surely have put them in the mix for an undreamt-of European qualification.
On the plus side, the Cherries have reached the magical 40-point mark, surely the first objective for a club of their size still punching above their weight to even be in the Premier League, and have done so with nine games to go.
Indeed, probably earlier than many would have anticipated after losing nearly their entire defence last summer and star forward Antoine Semenyo in January.
But they remain 16 points shy of last season's record top-flight points tally of 56, and it would take a Herculean effort to take 16 or more points from their last nine games, as welcome as that would be.
And at what point do feelings of frustration start to become those of entitlement over where a team supposedly "deserves" to be?
Perhaps it would be for the best to sprinkle a sense of perspective onto those feelings of frustration.
After all, half of the Premier League would probably rather be in Bournemouth's league position than their own – and how often has that been true?
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is contemplating signing a new contract at the club despite interest from Crystal Palace and Tottenham. (Mail - subscription required), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Pundits Micah Richards and Danny Murphy join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from the midweek Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds
Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie has reflected on the 0-0 draw against Brentford.
"I am a little bit disappointed [to not win] with how well we played especially against a team that have our number most of the time," he said.
"I thought for the most part we were very good and we controlled the ball, created chances and limited them to a few [chances]. I think with the run we were on, it's one of the better performance so it is frustrating."
He added: "We are still in a very good place and the unbeaten run is still going. It wasn't meant to be but this is positive to go into the next games.
"For us after last season, a season which was incredible and isn't spoken about how well we did and how much we achieved, the danger is to have a one off-season and to slip down but we don't want to do that. For where we are at the minute we are doing really well."
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Ryan Christie: 'The display didn't deserve a draw'
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We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Brentford
Here are some of your comments:
Bournemouth fans:
Mark: Bournemouth should have won they missed quite a few chances during the coarse of that game , but well take the point.
Lee: Have to take our chances!!! Not the greatest spectacle but Brentford were there for the taking and despite all of our chances only 2 were on target. This performance and the one versus Sunderland were very similar…chances missed!! here's hoping we can get back on the winning trail when we play Burnley next… Up The Cherries !
Peter: What is the point of having VAR if they can't get the big points right? Bournemouth were robbed of a clear penalty! I admit the finishing of the Cherries was not good enough, but the officials had a big say in the outcome of this game and fans want fairness. We didn't have that today.
Charl: Appalling! Poor decision choices, woeful passing and hopeless substitutions.We cannot replace Evanilson with Unal he's clueless.We are hopeless at dead ball situations not good enough for premier league we must start practicing set pieces. This game was thrown away by shockingly bad finishing.
Brentford fans:
Cliff: Very good point in our quest for European football. Bournemouth were the better team but finishing was woeful. Referee fell for their tactic of constantly going down with supposed head injuries when we were attacking.
Gavin: Brentford remain the Cherries bogey team after a hard fought draw Bournemouth should have won. Brentford were unbalanced by the injury to Rico Henry and the absence of Aaron Hickey and Vitaly Janelt throw previous injury. In the games against the mid table teams looking to qualify for Europe, Brentford need an extra man in midfield. Leaving room for two out and out forwards preferably with pace to come from deep and hit teams on the break. No point in hoofing hopeful balls up to Thiago to battle with two or three defenders single handed. It's not working against Brighton, Fulham and Bournemouth. Great team effort a game in previous seasons they would have lost. This team is still over achieving.
Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesWhile going nine games unbeaten in the Premier League is an achievement not to be sniffed at, manager Andoni Iraola will see Bournemouth's goalless draw with Brentford as two points dropped rather than one point gained.
Bournemouth have now drawn their last three games, all against sides around them in the table. Just one win would have boosted their fading hopes of playing European football next season.
"It's a point. It's very little seeing our performance and our needs. There are also a lot of positives but probably at this stage of the season you need the points," Iraola told BBC Match of the Day.
"We are drawing a lot of games. Draws don't get you a lot. Yes we go to 40 and that's a big positive in the end looking at the big picture. But in this moment after a game we feel the frustration."
The home side had no problem creating opportunities – they had five big chances as defined by Opta and produced an expected goals (xG) rating of 1.99 – but the final touch was lacking.
After an uneventful opening 30 minutes, James Hill headed over from less than 10 yards out before Ryan Christie rounded Kelleher but ran out of pitch before he could finish.
Tavernier curled an effort wide before he forced Kelleher into a smart save with his legs with the game's first shot on target in first-half injury-time.
Bournemouth looked like they would get their reward in the final moments when Kroupi ran on to a cut-back, but a slight deflection denied him a ninth league goal of the season and summed up his side's evening.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the goalless draw with Brentford: "It's difficult to explain, I think we played really well today, one of the best games we've played lately.
"We had good chances but overall we controlled Brentford, a team that plays at a high level. But we haven't won it. We've hit two posts. Ryan Christie had a clear, clear chance. I think the penalty, I still cannot accept [how] we haven't had a penalty on [Marcus] Tavernier. Somehow we haven't won, I don't know how.
"It's a point. It's very little seeing our performance and our needs. There are also a lot of positives but probably at this stage of the season you need the points.
"We are drawing a lot of games. Draws don't get you a lot. Yes we go to 40 and that's a big positive in the end looking at the big picture. But in this moment after a game we feel the frustration.
"Some draws are fair and you feel it is a very good point for us. Today, no. I cannot accept. I have to defend my players, but I am sorry I cannot accept after the reviews that they say it is not a penalty. He [Michael Kayode] loses his position and stands on the calf of Tavernier. Yes, somehow he finishes, but this is so clearly a penalty. I cannot understand it."
On the two benches arguing after full-time: "I wasn't in the mix. I think Jordan Henderson and Kroups [Junior Kroupi] are exchanging words. But nothing happened in the end."
You can listen to more from Iraola on BBC Sounds here
Did you know?
Bournemouth extended their unbeaten run to nine Premier League games (W4 D5), recording three consecutive draws at home in the competition for the first time.
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Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Bournemouth's performance
What did you make of Brentford's display?
Come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies
Andoni Iraola makes two change to the Bournemouth side that drew 1-1 with Sunderland on Saturday.
Ryan Christie and Evanilson come into the side, with David Brooks and top scorer Eli Junior Kroupi dropping to the bench.
AFC Bournemouth: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Adams, Scott, Rayan, Christie, Tavernier, Evanilson. Subs: Mandas, Brooks, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Junior Kroupi, Unal, Toth, Milosavljevic.
Brentford boss Keith Andrew makes three alterations to his side after their dramatic 4-3 win over Burnley three days ago.
Caoimhin Kelleher returns in goal after missing that game because of the birth of his child. Jordan Henderson comes into midfielder and Nathan Collins starts in defence.
Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson, Kristoffer Ajer, and Yehor Yarmoliuk drop to the bench.
Brentford: Kelleher, Kayode, Collins, van den Berg, Henry, Henderson, Jensen, Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade, Thiago. Subs: Valdimarsson, Pinnock, Yarmolyuk, Ajer, Lewis-Potter, Donovan, Furo, Bentt, Shield.
Alexander Toth has spoken about the process of moving to Bournemouth at the start of this year.
The midfielder says he only heard good things about the club when he spoke to fellow Hungarian and former Cherry Milos Kerkez.
"I had interest from other clubs before Bournemouth and during the negotiations as well but it was never a question," Toth added.
"Bournemouth is quieter - I lived in Budapest, a big city, but I like the place and the people. Everyone is so kind and I really enjoy being here."
Sam Davis
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesBournemouth have continued on their impressive run this calendar year, with many fans still dreaming of potentially snatching a European spot by May.
If that were to happen, then the Cherries certainly need to start turning some of their draws into wins.
The club have already recorded more draws this season than they ever have before in their Premier League history, with a couple of months still to play.
This statistic alone shows just many missed opportunities there have been for the south coast side. Only a few more wins would really put the Cherries up there mixing it with the big boys.
In fact only the top three have lost fewer games than Bournemouth this season, but equally only the bottom six have won fewer.
It's a young and talented squad, and it perhaps is that lack of experience and leadership in certain moments which may be preventing the side getting over the line in some of these games.
On the other hand, Bournemouth are certainly making themselves harder to beat. If a few of those draws ended in defeat then the Cherries would be worryingly looking over their shoulder somewhat.
It is a great quality to be able to grind out vital points and maybe being a tougher nut to crack is actually a step in the right direction for Iraola's side?
Whichever way you decide to view it, it's an incredibly high amount of draws.
If Bournemouth get the balance wrong then the season will peter out without too much late drama, but if they were to get it right, then that elusive European dream may yet still be alive!
Find more from Sam Davis at Back of the Net, external
Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist
Bournemouth are closing in on their best Premier League unbeaten run but will face a stern test at Vitality Stadium on Tuesday (19:30 GMT) against a Brentford side in sparkling away form.
Four wins and four draws in their past eight league fixtures mean the Cherries are unbeaten since the turn of the year, a sequence which has moved them from 15th to 10th in the table, and only Manchester United (11) are on a longer unbeaten spell.
Just once have Bournemouth enjoyed a longer run without defeat in the top flight, going 11 games without losing between November and January last season.
Another South Coast stalemate?
But for a dozen draws – the joint most of any club in Europe's top five leagues this term – Andoni Iraola's men could be in the hunt for a European spot. Indeed, Bournemouth's 12 stalemates – six of them at home – is already their most in a top-flight campaign.
With much talk about the quality of Brazilian teenager Rayan since his arrival in January, it was his more experienced countryman Evanilson who rescued a point against Sunderland on Saturday, coming off the bench to notch his sixth league goal of the season.
Worryingly, he was taken off with five minutes to go after suffering a knock to the hip, giving him the quirky honour of becoming the first Bournemouth player to be subbed on, score and then be subbed off in a league match since James Keene against Brentford in October 2005 – when the two clubs were in League One.
Brentford for Europe?
While Brentford can't match Bournemouth's unbeaten record this calendar year, their form across the piece has them riding high in seventh place and dreaming of European qualification for the first time in their 134-year history.
Keith Andrews' side boast an eye-catching recent record on their travels, with Mikkel Damsgaard's late winner in Saturday's epic 4-3 victory at Burnley the latest example – even if they did have a contentious VAR decision to thank for denying the Clarets a stoppage-time equaliser.
Across their past six away games, Brentford have picked up more points than anyone else in the division.
Brentford's late win at Burnley means they have won five of their past six away league games.
They have already won at Bournemouth once this season, in the Carabao Cup, and also hammered them 4-1 when they met after Christmas.
But that was when Bournemouth were in the middle of their bad run, and they have picked up a lot since then - they are unbeaten in their past eight league games.
I was wrong when I said the Cherries would beat Sunderland on Saturday, but I am still backing them this time - and I am tempted to go 2-1 every game this week after what happened on Sunday [when all four games finished with that scoreline].
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Grace Wheeler
BBC Sport journalist
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Brentford at Vitality Stadium (kick-off 19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On the injury that forced Evanilson off in the draw with Sunderland: "He couldn't train. It is a matter of managing the pain and I hope he will be available tomorrow. He gives us a lot of good things. He helps us to play higher up the pitch - this is good for the rest of the team and for him. He is a very good forward."
He added: "Everyone else came off tired and we had a few cramps."
On Bournemouth's position in the table: "We are in a good spot - we are 10th right now. We drew the other day and we lost two positions because everyone else around us won their games. Tomorrow, we will have one of the more difficult games we have remaining."
On set-pieces: "Looking back to the last game, we had 21 shots and a lot of them were coming from set-piece situations. I don't have the feeling that we are missing super chances. Overall, it is a matter of balance and lately we are scoring fewer goals."
He added: "We have to find a way to protect our keepers. They are not any other players - they are the only ones who can touch the ball with their hands. We are are allowing almost everything in the small [six-yard] box. All the teams are seeing this and trying to maximise this. I think the referees will have to decide what they want to do with the games. I think they [VAR] are going to have to start calling things - if you see it, call it, but don't waste another 40 seconds."
On facing former player Dango Ouattara: "We miss him. He is an incredible player but Brentford paid us a lot of money and sometimes you have to do some deals because they are good for the bigger picture of the club. We accepted because the deal was good for the player and the club."
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