Bournemouth welcome Tottenham to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, August 26, in the lunchtime kick-off, with Andoni Iraola’s side looking for their first win of the new campaign. Last Word on Football provides our Bournemouth predicted lineup for the visit of Spurs as the Dorset club contends with a host of injuries.
Injury Hit Cherries: Bournemouth Predicted Lineup vs Tottenham
Lewis Cook is making good progress ✅
Here's the latest on the injury front ahead of #BOUTOT ⬇️
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 25, 2023
How Bournemouth Have Lined Up Recently
Iraola has named two almost identical starting lineup’s for the Cherries opening games of the new Premier League campaign. The Spaniard appears to have an established defensive unit with club captain Neto the nailed on first choice keeper, whilst Marcos Senesi and Illia Zabarnyi continue to build a solid partnership at the heart of the defence.
Max Aarons has started both of the club’s first two games at right back, since joining from Norwich, with Milos Kerkez slotting in at left back after his arrival from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
Further forward Joe Rothwell and Philip Billing have manned the Cherries engine room as injuries to Lewis Cook and Alex Scott have left the Dorset club short of options in the middle of the park. Senesi was also used as a defensive midfielder during the defeat to Anfield last weekend during the second half, but this seems only to be a part time solution as games progress due to the amount of injuries in central midfield.
Ryan Christie has been first choice at number ten, however, Hamed Traore looked good coming off the bench at Liverpool and could soon find his way into the starting lineup once up to speed with the Premier League’s intensity.
On the wings, Jaidon Anthony has started both games from the left with David Brooks starting off the right hand side in the season opener to West Ham. However, Antoine Semenyo impressed from the bench in that game and replaced the Welsh winger at Anfield last weekend from the start, grabbing a goal and earning the praise from his manager in the process.
Up top there are limited options for Iraola with just Dominic Solanke and Kieffer Moore to chose from. It has been the 25-year-old Englishman that has been given the nod so far this season, though, with Moore limited to coming off the bench late in both games.
Cherries Recent Tactics And Form
There has been a distinct shift in the way Bournemouth are playing this season under Iraola, as the Spaniard continues to implement his playing style on the squad.
The 41-year-old has preferred to use a 4-2-3-1 formation in the two games to date, and is expected to stick with this set up for the majority of the campaign.
The use of both full-backs in attacking phases has been noticeable, as well as the teams high press, often instigated by the wingers and central striker. With the ball, the Cherries have been looking to play out from the back with Senesi and Zabarnyi playing key roles in distributing the ball.
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The way in which the team has gone about their recent games has drawn plenty of positives from fans, but Iraola’s side have just one point to show from their endeavours.
A 1-1 draw at home to West Ham kicked off the campaign as Solanke secured a point in an evenly fought contest at Vitality Stadium, whilst Semenyo’s third minute opener against Liverpool was not enough to secure any points at Anfirld as the Reds came from behind to win 3-1.
Bournemouth Injuries to Consider
A total of eight players are currently sidelined due to injury including Marcus Tavernier, Adam Smith, Ryan Fredericks, Emiliano Marcondes, Dango Ouattara, Cook, Scott and Tyler Adams.
The likelihood is that most of these players will not be available until after the upcoming international break, however, Cook is closest to returning to action, with Iraola stating the midfielder will likely be back “next week”.
The Cherries latest signing, Adams, will have to wait for his debut as USMNT captain suffered an injury last season whilst at Leeds, and has been pictured working hard on his rehabilitation since turning up on the South Coast
With so many players out injured, it leaves Iraola’s hands slightly tied when it comes to selection, with right back and central midfield two positions that that are thin on the ground.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
GK: Neto
RB: Aarons
CB: Senesi
CB: Zabarnyi
LB: Kerkez
CM: Rothwell
CM: Billing
CAM: Christie
RWF: Semenyo
LWF: Anthony
CF: Solanke
Current Odds: Bournemouth vs Tottenham
Bournemouth are 27/10 to win the game with Spurs coming in 20/23 at with a draw priced at 14/5
Main Image Credit: Andy Jones, licensed for Last Word on Sports
