AFC Bournemouth Match Preview

West Ham United have so far played two Premier League matches on a Thursday night this season and have won them both. Will they be able to make it a third when AFC Bournemouth visit Stratford tonight?

Although the Hammers haven’t lost in the top-flight since their 5-0 defeat at Fulham back on 10 December, they are yet to pick up three points in 2024, following back-to-back draws against both Brighton and Hove Albion, as well as newly-promoted Sheffield United. They will be hoping to do so here.

The Cherries on the other hand, were on a seven-game streak without defeat themselves but recently saw that ended, thanks to successive defeats to both Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool but unlike tonight’s hosts, they are still in the Emirates FA Cup and will want to build on their fourth-round victory over Sky Bet Championship outfit Swansea City a week ago.

Andoni Iraola’s men held the Irons to a 1-1 draw when the teams met at The Vitality Stadium on the opening weekend of the season and the Irons will want to get their revenge and inflict another defeat on the Spaniard.

Łukasz Fabiański is in line to replace Alphonse Areola in goal if the Frenchman hasn’t recovered from the late injury he sustained last time out.

New signing Kalvin Phillips may be handed his debut after joining on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the campaign six days ago, while Edson Álvarez will again have to be assessed.

Vladimír Coufal will be missing for the game, as he is suspended after picking up two yellow cards against the Blades eleven days ago, meaning either Aaron Cresswell or Ben Johnson will deputise.

Mohammed Kudus may be selected after his return from the Africa Cup of Nations whilst Nayef Aguerd is on his way back to East London following Morocco’s defeat to South Africa on Tuesday night.

Action gets underway at 7:30pm and live coverage is being screened by TNT Sports from 7pm. The referee is Tim Robinson.