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Bournemouth vs Tottenham LIVE: Premier League team news and line-ups as Spurs make Dominic Solanke decision
Just two points separate Bournemouth and Tottenham as Dominic Solanke returns to face his former club
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Bournemouth welcome Tottenham to the Vitality Stadium as both sides look to climb the Premier League table amid mixed results of late.
The hosts beat Wolves 4-2 in a frantic match last weekend to climb up to 13th ahead of the midweek fixtures, and Andoni Iraola’s side have surprised both fans and pundits alike with their quality at times this season.
Ange Postecoglou’s side laboured to a 1-1 draw with Fulham which took them to seventh ahead of the next round of fixtures, with the Australian once again coming in for criticism in some parts after his team followed a scintillating 4-0 win over Manchester City with another poor result.
And with just two points separating the two teams at kick-off, it promises to be an intriguing contest on the south coast that gives both sides the chance to improve their position. Follow all of the latest from the Vitality Stadium in our live blog below:
Son Heung-min rested for Bournemouth clash, says Postecoglou
Ange Postecoglou, speaking to Prime Video.
On Solanke’s return
“Good to have him back in. I’m sure Dom was looking forward to it and thankfully he has recovered from his illness and he’s ready to go. He will want to come back and show what he’s all about.”
On Gray’s first PL start
“Archie has played for us in midweek and he’s going really well. It will be a great test for him tonight and it’s great for him to make his debut.
On Son dropping to the bench
“It’s rotation, mate. We’ve got so many game. Deji had a rest and the weekend and it’s Sonny’s turn tonight.”
Jamie Braidwood5 December 2024 20:08
Which Spurs will turn up tonight?
Tottenham’s last five Premier League results make fascinating reading. Which Spurs will turn up tonight?
Jamie Braidwood5 December 2024 20:04
Fraser Forster is yet to keep a clean sheet in a Premier League away game for Tottenham, conceding 23 goals in eight appearances on the road.
The 36-year-old, who has replaced the injured Guglielmo Vicario, made a string of saves in the 1-1 draw at home to Fulham on the weekend and also impressed against Roma.
Jamie Braidwood5 December 2024 19:55
Bournemouth ready to bring ‘organised chaos’ against high-pressing Spurs
Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo has described his team’s style under Andoni Iraola as “organised chaos”.
The Cherries press high up the pitch but Iraola says Tottenham are the “best pressing team” in the Premier League.
“I would put them with the best teams. We need a strong start and we have to be ready,” Iraola tells Prime Video.
Jamie Braidwood5 December 2024 19:51
Happy Thursday?
Bournemouth have never lost a Premier League clash on a Thursday, winning one and drawing three.
However, Spurs have lost four of their past five Premier League matches on a Thursday, drawing the other.
Jamie Braidwood5 December 2024 19:35
Ange Postecoglou drops transfer hint over Tottenham’s January plans
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says the club must make signings in January to strengthen their attacking options.
Postecoglou’s squad has been stretched thin by injuries ahead of a busy run of games and Spurs will travel to Bournemouth on Thursday night without several key players, although Dominic Solanke could be fit in time to face his former side as he recovers from illness.
Tottenham have been without Richarlison and Wilson Odobert for most of the season due to hamstring injuries and although Postecoglou’s side are the Premier League’s top scorers this season the Australian said he is in need of attacking reinforcements.
Ange Postecoglou drops transfer hint over Tottenham’s January plans
Spurs are the Premier League’s top scorers this season but Postecoglou said he needs more attacking options
Jamie Braidwood5 December 2024 19:15
Bournemouth vs Totteham team news and line-ups
Lewis Cook is only fit enough for the bench for Bournemouth, so Dean Huijsen starts ahead of Marcos Senesi and Antoine Semenyo returns from suspenion in their only two changes.
Bournemouth XI: Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huisen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson.
Jamie Braidwood5 December 2024 19:05
Bournemouth vs Totteham team news and line-ups
Dominic Solanke starts for Tottenham and Dejan Kulusevski returns to the line-up, in place of captain Son Heung-min. Archie Gray also starts at right-back, in place of Pedro Porro.
Tottenham XI: Forster; Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Bissouma, Sarr, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Johnson
Jamie Braidwood5 December 2024 19:02
Ange Postecoglou insists it is premature to write off Son Heung-min
Ange Postecoglou believes it is premature to write off out-of-form Tottenham captain Son Heung-min.
Son has only scored four goals for his club this season and just one from open-play in his last 12 appearances for Spurs.
The South Korea international struggled with a hamstring issue earlier in the campaign and has cut a frustrated figure at times since his return, but Postecoglou backed the 32-year-old to return to his best ahead of Thursday’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth.
“What I do know is, from my own experience, the end comes pretty quickly. It’s not falling off a cliff, but you find with a lot of great players that all of a sudden it’s gone from bang to bang. It’s not a slow deterioration.
“I don’t see that in Sonny, I still think he’s got a hell of a lot of quality and from a physical standpoint, the way he looks after himself, I don’t see his abilities diminishing just due to the age factor at the moment. I don’t see that.”
Jamie Braidwood5 December 2024 18:55
Ange Postecoglou hits back at critics trying to ‘bring us down’ after Tottenham held
Ange Postecoglou rallied around his players after Tottenham produced a flat display in a 1-1 draw at home to Fulham to lose more ground in the Premier League.
Tottenham have dropped to 8th a week on from a superb 4-0 victory at Manchester City, but Postecoglou vowed to protect his players amid a growing list of absentees.
“It somehow again seems with this club that whatever it is that we do well is then used as a millstone to bring us down at every other opportunity,” he said.
“I guess from my perspective, as I keep saying, it’s really important that we don’t react to any of that and just stay focused.
“I just sometimes feel like, especially the players we’ve got at the moment, they’re just working really hard for this football club to try and progress to where we want to be.
“We’re in good shape, we’re still in good shape. We’re still in a decent position in the league. We’re still in the Carabao Cup, we’re in a decent position in Europe, so it’s about us maintaining our focus on continuing to develop.”
Jamie Braidwood5 December 2024 18:35