Max Aarons is set to make his Premier League debut against West Ham on Saturday, August 12, in a 3pm kick-off at Vitality Stadium. Here at Last Word on Football we share our AFC Bournemouth predicted lineup as Andoni Iraola takes charge of his first Premier League game as the Cherries new coach.
Aarons Set for Debut: AFC Bournemouth Predicted Lineup VS West Ham
👉 Update on injuries
👉 Latest on Scott
👉 Aarons' arrivalAndoni Iraola has delivered the first injury news of the season ahead of #BOUWHU 📝
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 11, 2023
How AFC Bournemouth Have Lined-up Recently
Iraola fielded a strong side against FC Lorient in the club’s final warm up game ahead of the new season but there were still a few notable absentees, as the Spaniard aired on the side of caution with West Ham just around the corner.
Club captain Neto started in goal, with Illia Zabarnyi partnering Chris Mepham in the heart of defence, with Marcos Senesi starting on the bench as Iraola rotated his squad from the defeat against Atalanta.
Read More: Deal Done: AFC Bournemouth Sign ‘One of the Most Exciting Young Players in Europe‘
New signing Milos Kerkez continued at left back, whilst Jaidon Anthony was a surprise addition on the right side of defence. Both Adam Smith and Ryan Fredericks’ injuries forced Iraola to play the winger out of position, but the addition of Aarons has now bolstered the Cherries options in that position.
The South coast sides’ engine room saw Joe Rothwell partner Lewis Cook as a central midfield duo, with Philip Billing deployed in a more advanced role.
Dango Outtara faced his former club from the left wing, with David Brooks playing wide on the right, leaving Wales international Kieffer Moore upfront as the lone striker. Ryan Christie and Dominic Solanke were rested as a precaution with the new season fast approaching.
AFC Bournemouth Recent Form and Tactics
The Cherries have had a mixed bag of results during pre-season with three wins from five games. A 4-0 victory over Hibernian was followed by a narrow 1-0 defeat to Maccabi Tel-Aviv during the club’s Marbella training camp in Spain.
On their return to England, Iraola’s side beat local rivals Southampton 3-2 at St Mary’s before a 3-1 defeat to Serie A side Atalanta and a 2-0 victory to French club FC Lorient at Vitality Stadium wrapped up the pre-season schedule.
Adopting a 4-2-3-1 formation, the Spaniard has chopped and changed the starting line-up throughout the summer as he tries to instil his playing style on the squad, whilst getting a good look at the players at his disposal.
Read More: What Qualities Milos Kerkez Will Bring to AFC Bournemouth Under New Manager Andoni Iraola
The Cherries have been looking to press teams high up the pitch and have been far more progressive going forward as they look to utilise the pace they possess on the wings.
Several players have stood out, in particular Brooks ,who has been in fine form scoring three goals from the right wing. Kerkez has also impressed at left-back since joining the club from AZ Alkmaar and there have been glimpses that Senesi and Zabarnyi could be a central defensive partnership that will serve the team well this season.
There will be some concern, though, over the teams weakness at set pieces. Both of the goals conceded against Southampton came from set pieces whilst Atalanta’s third also resulted from some poor defending from a free kick.
AFC Bournemouth Injuries to Consider
There are several injury concerns for Iraola to deal with ahead of the visit of David Moyes’ side on Saturday. Marcus Tavernier and Lloyd Kelly both picked up injuries during the club’s training camp in Marbella and will miss the season opener.
Ryan Fredericks has been a long term absentee from the squad with an injury to his calf and it is unsure when the right-back will be back involved, whilst Adam Smith is also ruled out after missing the final game of pre-season against Lorient.
Read More: Bournemouth Injury Woes: Tavernier, Kelly and More
With both right-backs sidelined, it has paved the way for the club’s latest signing Aarons to make his debut, just days after signing for the Dorset club, with the young Englishmen the only fit right-back available.
Solanke and Christie are expected to play after being rested as a precaution against Lorient last week, whilst Antoine Semenyo is close to returning to full fitness and could make an appearance from the bench.
The Cherries will also be without their new £25 million midfielder, Alex Scott, with the 19-year-old ruled out for several months after an injury he sustained training with his former club Bristol City.
AFC Bournemouth Predicted Lineup
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: NETO
RB: AARONS
CB: ZABARNYI
CB: SENESI
LB: KERKEZ
CM: COOK
CM: BILLING
CAM: CHRISTIE
RWF: BROOKS
LWF: KLUIVERT
CF: SOLANKE
Current Odds: AFC Bournemouth vs West Ham
At the time of writing the Cherries were 13/8 to win their first game of the season, whilst West Ham are 6/4 to take all three points back to London – just edging out in front as the bookies favourites for the game.
A draw is the least likely outcome according to the book makers with odds of 12/5 for both teams to take a point.
Photo Credit: Andy Jones, licensed under Last Word on Football
