Premier League Match Preview: Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur will travel south to the Vitality Stadium as they gear up to take on AFC Bournemouth on Thursday in matchweek 34 of the 2019/20 Premier League.
Jose Mourinho’s side are currently eighth in the Premier League table, one point below Arsenal in seventh, although that could change by the time the game kicks off on Thursday. With a twelve-point gap to Chelsea in fourth, Champions League qualification is very much off the table. However, a win will be needed for Spurs to stay alive in the hunt for the Europa League places.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, are staring at the prospect of relegation. The Cherries are currently stationed in the 19th spot in the league table. While they are just a point below Watford in 17th, results haven’t been going their way for a long time now. With five matches still to be played, they can very well turn things around, however, and survive in the top flight.
Recent Form
Bournemouth
Bournemouth are currently on a run of eight matches without a victory. The Cherries’ last win came back in February, against fellow relegation battlers Aston Villa (2-1). In their last two matches, Eddie Howe’s team have conceded nine goals while netting just three themselves. Their latest fixture ended in a 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Manchester United.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham picked up their second win in nine matches when they defeated Everton 1-0 this past Monday, courtesy a Michael Keane own goal. In four matches since the restart, Mourinho’s side have lost just one of the four matches played (W2 D1 L1).
Head-to-Head
Bournemouth: 2 Tottenham: 7 Draws: 1
The two teams met earlier this season in the Premier League, with the game ending in a 3-2 win for Tottenham. Dele Alli scored a brace for Spurs, while Moussa Sissoko also found the net. Harry Wilson grabbed a double for the Cherries.
The last time Tottenham travelled to the Vitality Stadium, in May 2019, they were beaten by the hosts 1-0.
Team News
Bournemouth
Eddie Howe has a number of injury concerns heading into the game, almost all of which are in defence. Simon Francis, Jack Stacey and Charlie Daniels are all ruled out of the contest. Steve Cook is a major doubt for the game, while midfielder Andrew Surman is likely to miss out as well. Chris Mepham is close to a return, while Callum Wilson returns from suspension.
Tottenham Hotspur
Juan Foyth and Japhet Tanganga remain sidelined for Tottenham. Dele Alli missed the last game due to a hamstring strain and may miss out once again this Thursday.
Predicted Lineups
Bournemouth
Aaron Ramsdale; Adam Smith, Lloyd Kelly, Nathan Ake, Diego Rico; David Brooks, Jefferson Lerman, Phillip Billing, Junior Stanislas; Josh King, Callum Wilson.
Tottenham Hotspur
Hugo Lloris; Serge Aurier, Toby Alderweireld, Eric Dier, Ben Davies; Harry Winks, Tanguy Ndombele; Steven Bergwijn, Giovani Lo Celso, Son Heung-min; Harry Kane.
Players to Watch
Josh King
The Norwegian, who has been linked with a summer switch to Tottenham in the past, will be Bournemouth’s biggest threat in attack on Friday. He hasn’t had the best of the seasons, compared to the standards he has set in the past couple of campaigns. Till date, King has netted just five goals in the Premier League in 2019/20.
However, having scored in the last game against Manchester United, he will have his tails up and will be gunning for more, in order to bail his team out from their current plight.
Tanguy Ndombele
A lot has been written about the Frenchman and his relationship with Mourinho of late. It doesn’t help that the manager has used him for just 19 minutes in four matches, despite him being fully fit. However, the game against Bournemouth might be the best chance to give Ndombele a run out.
More Tottenham Hotspur News
- Lazio interested in Tottenham star Danny Rose
- Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig interested in Tottenham target Ben Godfrey
- Tottenham eye double swoop on Wigan for Joe Gelhardt and Jensen Weir
The 23-year-old has ability and potential in plenty. And he will need to step it up a notch and make the most of whatever opportunities come his way, if he is to have a future at the club.
