Burnley v Brentford: Bees backed to continue impressive start

Burnley still searching for first win

Burnley are still looking for their first Premier League win of the season, after taking just four point from their opening nine games, but they could be facing more disappointment against Brentford this weekend. Sean Dyche has kept his team out of trouble in recent campaigns but this could be his toughest challenge yet, as he bids to avoid relegation. Dyche remains positive about 18th-placed Burnley's performances but they need to get a win on the board soon to avoid being cut adrift.

New signing Maxwel Cornet is at least settling in well and the Ivory Coast winger scored twice in last weekend's 2-2 draw at Southampton.

Cornet has scored three of Burnley's seven league goals this season and the Clarets will needing to improve their attacking output if they are to maintain their top-flight status.

Burnley were knocked out of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night after a 1-0 home defeat to Tottenham.

Brentford holding own following promotion

Brentford were promoted to the Premier League for the first time after beating Swansea in May's Championship play-off final at Wembley. After a series of near misses, the Bees finally got over the hurdle and have been a welcome addition to the top flight. Brentford's entertaining style of play, combined with their tireless work ethic, has earned them widespread acclaim starting with their 2-0 win over Arsenal on the opening night.

This was no fluke and Brentford produced a superb effort to hold Liverpool to a 3-3 draw at home last month. Thomas Frank's side have lost their last two league games but battered Chelsea and were incredibly unlucky to lose 1-0. A 2-1 defeat to Leicester was also harsh and a repeat of these attacking displays should be enough to turn results into wins swiftly. Ivan Toney scored his third goal of the season in Brentford's 2-1 win at Stoke in the EFL Cup on Wednesday. The Bees will have to manage without goalkeeper David Raya after he was ruled out for up to five months with knee ligament damage.

Clarets and Bees hard to split in betting

The betting suggests this will be extremely tight with Burnley the narrowest of favourites at 2.89/5. The hosts are hard to fancy though with their last home league win coming back in January.

Stretching back to last season, Burnley are without a victory in the competition for 12 matches and there is no interest in siding with them this weekend.

Brentford are unbeaten away from home this season and have already claimed impressive wins at fourth-placed West Ham and Wolves. The Bees are eight points ahead off Burnley and are a tempting bet at 2.8415/8. Brentford's performances have been very impressive and 12th place arguably does not reflect how well they have played this season. A trip to Burnley will hold no fears and Brentford should remain undefeated on the road.

The draw is available at 3.3512/5 and the odds suggest Saturday's game will be finely balanced. Three of Burnley's last four league matches have ended level but Brentford look the team to back. It looks worth siding with the visitors but the draw no bet option appeals as a safety net at 2.01/1.

No guarantee of high-scoring clash at Turf Moor

There is plenty at stake at Turf Moor this weekend but there is no guarantee of a high-scoring affair. Burnley's lack of goals is well documented and their team have failed to score in four of their league games this season. Five of their matches have featured under 2.5 goals and if Burnley are to gain a positive result it is likely to be in a low-scoring contest.

Brentford's solidity this season has been impressive with only the top three conceding fewer than their nine goals. Six of their nine matches have resulted in less than three goals so it is no surprise under 2.5 goals is priced at just 1.748/11. Goals could be in short supply but the best bet for this match is to side with Brentford to pick up another positive away result.

Follow Simon's bets on Twitter @watfordtipster