Bournemouth host Tottenham Hotspur at the Vitality Stadium on Thursday night in a game that both sides need to win. The Cherries have lost five on the bounce and sit four points away from safety.
Tottenham, meanwhile, bounced back with a 1-0 win over Everton on Monday following a poor display against Sheffield United.
Bournemouth Host Tottenham as They Look to Stay in Premier League
Cherries In Dire Straits
Bournemouth need to start picking up points. Eddie Howe has done an incredible job in his time at the club, but this season they have capitulated far too often. Out of the last 22 games, Bournemouth have lost 17 of them. That is a poor record and identifies exactly why they are fighting for their Premier League lives.
Nine goals conceded in the last two games means that survival looks a very tall order. They simply must not lose this game.
Jose Mourinho Wants More Passion
Despite the victory over Everton on Monday night, it was a lacklustre game and hardly a startling bounce back from Jose Mourinho’s players.
However, there was one moment that caught the eye. Captain Hugo Lloris was unhappy with Son Heung-Min for not tracking back after losing the ball and berated the player at half time. Other Spurs’ players intervened, but Lloris was incandescent at the South Korean striker.
When asked about the incident after the match, Jose Mourinho referred to it as being “beautiful”.
Tottenham have lacked leadership on the pitch for some time, and this incident may show that the captain is ready to step up and make his voice heard.
Line-Ups
Dele Alli is still a doubt for Spurs, but the four-match ban dished out to Eric Dier leaves the defensive duties sparse. Juan Foyth and Japhet Tanganga remain out, so either Jan Vertonghen or Davinson Sanchez are likely to fill in at centre-back.
Bournemouth are struggling off the pitch as well. Eddie Howe has injuries to key players, including Charlie Daniels, Simon Francis and Jack Stacey. A major boost is the return of Callum Wilson.
Prediction
Bournemouth must win as a loss will see them take a step closer to the trapdoor. Tottenham have had a poor season, and a win for them will keep them in the race for Europe. A defeat would leave them looking at a mid-table finish, the kind of position that Spurs fans had hoped were long gone.
Predicted Score: Bournemouth 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2
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