AFC Bournemouth will be looking to get their season back on track this Sunday when they play host to Tottenham Hotspur at the Vitality Stadium.
Eddie Howe’s men are without a win in their last three Premier League games and coming off a 5-1 defeat to Manchester City. Meanwhile, Spurs have also been struggling with results, having drawn their last two league fixtures. Interestingly though, before those two draws, Tottenham managed a 4-1 win over Manchester City.
Both sides have had similar seasons in terms of goalscoring, netting 11 goals in their opening nine Premier League fixtures. Tottenham, however, can attribute their superior standing to conceding 10 fewer goals than the Cherries who have shipped 17.
The two clubs find themselves at opposite sides of the table and depending on results, Tottenham could find themselves in the top five, while if Bournemouth lose, they could very well find themselves in the red of the relegation zone.
Key Battle- Christian Eriksen vs Matt Ritchie
These two players have identified themselves as spark in attack for their respective sides, despite both playing in, what is traditionally considered, midfield positions.
Eriksen has been at the helm of the Tottenham attack since his arrival in 2013, with 12 goals and six assists last season and 10 goals and 10 assists in his first season.
Likewise, Ritchie was a key shot caller for Eddie Howe’s side during their push for promotion, scoring 15 goals and claiming 17 assists in the Championship alone.
Both sides have adequate resources in both attack and defence, so Sunday’s game could go down to which of the midfielders can take the reigns for their side.
Team News
Bournemouth have received no respite from their prolonged injury woes. To add to their list of problems, first choice goalkeeper Artur Boruc is under an injury cloud and is unlikely to start on the weekend.
Eddie Howe came under heavy scrutiny after last week’s defeat at the Etihad Stadium, criticised for somewhat abandoning the tactical prowess that has helped identify Bournemouth by switching to a more defensive lineup. Given how it all turned out, expect the Cherries to revert to the more traditional 4-4-2 structure.
AFC Bournemouth Expected XI (4-4-2): Federici (GK); Francis, Distin, Cook, Daniels; Ritchie, Surman, Gosling, Pugh; King, Murray.
Tottenham will continue to run on a makeshift midfield with Tom Carroll and Nabil Bentalab unlikely to return by Sunday, in conjunction with the fact that they are missing wide men Son Hueng-min and Nacer Chadli.
Tottenham Hotspur Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris (GK); Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Dele Alli; Dembele, Eriksen, Lamela; Kane.
Head-to-Head
It will be the first time since 1957 the sides play each other. Then-known Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic defeated Tottenham 3-1 in the fifth round of the FA Cup. But given that neither manager were even born when that game was played, it is unlikely to have any impact on the outcome of Sunday’s fixtures.
In a season of firsts for Bournemouth, this fixture would be the first time the two clubs have met in league competition.
Prediction
Expect enthusiasm from Bournemouth, characterised by lengthy stints in possession and Glenn Murray threatening to snatch a goal. But in the end Tottenham’s pedigree is likely to be too much for the Premier League debutants. It will take a stellar performance from an undermanned Bournemouth side to take points away from this one.
AFC Bournemouth 1 Tottenham Hotspur 3
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
