AFC Bournemouth are set to host Tottenham at the Vitality Stadium, as these are two sides in inconsistent form eager to get a foothold in their season.
Andoni Iraola will have been relieved, surprised and, more importantly, content with his team’s performance at the weekend as Bournemouth celebrated their first away win since August. The Cherries beat Wolves at the Molineux with a 4-2 scoreline, with the game creating two stellar records for Bournemouth, who host Tottenham up next.
Justin Kluivert became the first-ever player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick of penalties in one game. Evanilson also etched his name in the record books for becoming the first-ever player in the top flight to win three penalties in one game, as left-back Milos Kerkez was also on the scoresheet as the Cherries secured a 4-2 reverse win.
This victory came at the back of back-to-back defeats against Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion, as Iraola will now target yet another big scalp at the Vitality. Bournemouth have built a reputation for being one of the tough teams on home soil, having already beaten the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City at this venue, the Spanish manager will hope it is Tottenham’s turn next.
Speaking of inconsistent form, Tottenham’s current run does make their fanbase wonder how their team can perform in the way they have. Having gone to probably the toughest away ground in the league at Manchester City and come out of there with a 4-0 reverse scoreline, Spurs have since managed to only draw games.
The first of those draws came in the Europa League as they conceded a late equaliser at home to Roma, and then at the weekend where it was a fairly similar story. Tottenham hosted London rivals Fulham at home, and Brennan Johnson’s second-half striker was cancelled out by Tom Cairney’s equaliser midway through the period. The latter was also sent off with a decent chunk of time left, but Spurs could not capitalise.
Tottenham are posing some serious questions to their top four contenders with performances like the one at the Etihad, but also giving away mixed signals about their form with some dreadful performances in general. For Ange Postecoglou, the primary objective would be to get his team performing on a consistent basis, as he will target a win at the Vitality.
Team News & Tactics
Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola will have a few key selection decisions to make, as he does have some key members of his first team missing through various injury issues. Alex Scott has a knee issue, while Julian Araujo and Luis Sinisterra are both out with hamstring problems, and midfielder Lewis Cook is also likely to miss out with a muscle complaint.
The latter’s expected absence could see the manager stick with Tyler Adams and Ryan Christie in his central midfield setup. The good news comes with the return of Antoine Semenyo, who served a suspension at the weekend and is now back in contention.
The Ghanaian international is likely to replace David Brooks on the right side of the attack. However, he could come on the left side to allow Iraola to accommodate Dango Ouattara on the right wing.
Kluivert, after his stellar hattrick is not likely to lose his spot in the side, and the same goes for Evanilson, with the Brazilian set to lead the line for Bournemouth against Tottenham. Illia Zabarnyi and Marcos Senesi are expected to feature in the heart of the defence. Adam Smith and the in-demand Milos Kerkez will take up the full-back roles on either flank.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Adams, Christie; Ouattara, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson
Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou will certainly hope for Dominic Solanke to make a return after missing out at the weekend with an illness. It will be a blow for the ex-Bournemouth striker personally to miss out on a reunion with his former side, as Tottenham fare better with the England international leading the line.
On the other hand, there are a number of issues for Postecoglou to deal with ahead of this trip to the Vitality Stadium. Rodrigo Bentancur’s seven-match ban means the Uruguayan international is unavailable for a third game running, while keeper Guglielmo Vicario will miss months after ankle surgery.
Tottenham could once again be without first choice centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, with the latter the more likely to make a return soon, but this trip might come too soon for his liking. Wilson Odobert is also unavailable alongside Richarlison, with the pair out with hamstring problems. Young stars Mikey Moore and Archie Gray are doubts for this one.
Ben Davies and Radu Dragusin will keep their places in central defence, as Destiny Udogie will retain his place at left-back. Postecoglou will persist with Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma and James Maddison in his midfield. At the same time, Solanke’s return could see Timo Werner relegated to the bench and allow Son Heung-min to return to the left flank.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son
Key Stats
Bournemouth have won three of their last four home games in the Premier League.
Bournemouth have conceded at least two goals in their last three Premier League matches.
Tottenham have scored at least two goals in their last four matches against Bournemouth in all competitions.
Tottenham have won 10 of their last 14 Premier League meetings with Bournemouth.
Justin Kluivert has been involved in six goals in his last six Premier League appearances (5 goals, 1 assist), becoming the first player in the competition’s history to score a hat-trick of penalties last time out against Wolves.
Player to Watch
Evanilson
Embed from Getty Images
The Brazilian striker has consistently grown in his role since making the big summer move from FC Porto. Last weekend, he made history by becoming the first-ever player in Premier League history to win three penalties in one game, all of which Justin Kluivert scored to etch his name in the record books for scoring as many spot kicks in a single game.
However, ahead of Tottenham’s visit here, Evanilson is the story to look forward to. While all the limelight will be on the returning Dominic Solanke, it is Evanilson who is the in-form frontman and, incidentally, the player who replaced the English striker at the Vitality.
The Brazilian’s current stats read four goals in the Premier League, and games like these are chances for him to improve on those numbers, as he will be the man in focus as Bournemouth host Tottenham Hotspur this midweek.
Prediction
AFC Bournemouth 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham fans might still have fresh memories of their most recent away trip to Manchester City, but they are facing a different animal in Bournemouth. Spurs’ unpredictable and inconsistent form will play a role in this game, as they could suffer another disappointing result.
Bournemouth have shown the knack of making the best out of their home ground this season, and Andoni Iraola could target another big scalp at the Vitality. The Cherries are coming into this game in a superior vein of form compared to Spurs, as they might have a sharper attack to exploit the otherwise weak-looking Tottenham defence, as Bournemouth are expected to take all three points here.