AFC Bournemouth face off against Tottenham this Saturday. This comes after Bournemouth defeated Hull City in a ruthless 6-1 performance. Spurs have a great test ahead in this English Premier League Round 9 matchup.
Last Season
Tottenham won 5-1 at Bournemouth and 3-0 at White Hart Lane last season. These one-sided affairs were a result of Tottenham’s rampant form. This season, the game should be much closer. Bournemouth’s improvements all over the pitch from the off season make them much more fortified.
Current Form
Eddie Howe’s men put out a stunning performance last weekend. Their clinical finishing and lovely build up play was remarkable. Jack Wilshere and Harry Arter are both pulling the strings in midfield while Junior Stanislas and Jordan Ibe are running the show on the attack. Right back Adam Smith has been providing excellent support on the right flank from the defense all season. Forward Callum Wilson will look to get in on the scoresheet with a goal that will probably be against the run of play.
Tottenham surprisingly let 2 points slip with a 1-1 draw against West Brom. If it wasn’t for Delle Alli’s late equalizer, Mauricio Pochetino’s side would have been much more disappointed with the result. Alli’s tidy finish saved the Spurs from humiliation and the decision to let Nacer Chadli leave the club, as he scored the breakthrough. Spurs need to capitalize on their chances with their attacking fire power of Son, Erik Lamela, and Christian Eriksen. The longer they cannot break the deadlock, the more confident Bournemouth will be.
Team News
Harry Kane may make an appearance back from injury against the Cherries. This is much to Bournemouth’s dismay as Kane has an excellent scoring record against them, notching a hat trick last season. Toby Alderwield is out for this game due to his injury sustained in the Champions League, while Danny Rose is listed as questionable with to a foot injury.
Bournemouth could be without midfielder Harry Arter after picking up a knock on the knee against Hull. Also, former Liverpool defender Brad Smith is still injured as well as veteran midfielder Marc Pugh.
Expected line ups:
(Bournemouth) Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Ibe, Wilshere, Gosling, King, Stanislas, Wilson
(Tottenham) Lloris, Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Davies, Wanyama, Alli, Lamela, Eriksen, Son, Janssen
It will be interesting to see what kind of tactics both esteemed managers employ in this exciting matchup.
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