By Ian King
Midweek wobbles and wavering type
Three steps ahead, two steps again. It appeared as if Spurs had turned a nook with three straight Premier League wins, however supine defeats to Manchester Metropolis and AZ have completely eradicated that brittle optimism. What was most regarding about their efficiency in Alkmaar was how passive they have been in a match of such clear significance for his or her season.
So this isn’t a great time to be taking part in excessiveish-flying Bournemouth, though they too have had a little bit wobble just lately. They booked a spot within the FA Cup quarter-finals final weekend with a penalty shootout win in opposition to Wolves, although this got here off the again of consecutive League defeats in opposition to Wolves and Brighton. They’re nonetheless in contact with a Champions League place, and European soccer for subsequent season stays a wholly achievable ambition.
Historical past
Previous to Bournemouth’s first promotion into the Premier League in 2015, these two golf equipment had solely ever met as soon as earlier than. That got here such a very long time in the past – February 1957, to be exact – that AFC Bournemouth have been nonetheless known as Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, and Bournemouth received 3-1 within the FA Cup Fifth Spherical. Spurs have received ten of their 15 conferences since 2015, however Bournemouth received 1-0 once they met earlier this season.
Key gamers
Arguably probably the most worrying factor about Spurs’ current dip is that they’ve gone two video games with out scoring, when this group hasn’t beforehand had an excessive amount of of an issue scoring targets for a lot of the season. The dearth of creativity in opposition to each Manchester Metropolis and AZ was clearly evident. Heung Min Son appeared livid following the AZ match, however the group wants his targets in the event that they’re to get via this encounter unscathed. Bournemouth’s fluidity has impressed all season, and Justin Kluivert has been a crucial cog of their engine. His tempo, motion and intelligence is an apparent risk to a Spurs defence which has appeared rickety at occasions this season.
Crew Information
Spurs might have thought that their harm points have been resolving themselves, however the sight of former-Bournemouth man Dominic Solanke strolling off in opposition to AZ in ache and clutching his again is an apparent concern. Dejan Kulusevski will even be lacking, although Richarlison, Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven may return. For Bournemouth, Adam Smith, Marcos Senesi and Enes Ünal are all injured, whereas Illia Zabarnyi stays suspended after being despatched off of their Premier League recreation in opposition to Wolves.
Prediction
Following a few insipid performances, Spurs have to get again to successful methods. They’ve misplaced plenty of the momentum they have been beginning to construct. And though Bournemouth have misplaced three of their final 4 Premier League video games, they’re solely 4 factors off a Champions League place so arguably have extra to play for than the house aspect on this explicit fixture. I’m going for a 2-1 Bournemouth win which everybody will suppose was an enormous shock however which wasn’t, actually.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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