AFC Bournemouth Match Preview

After getting through another FA Cup match in extra-time to progress to the fifth-round where they will face an all-Premier League tie at home to Brentford on March 9, West Ham United return to top-flight action hoping to get another crucial win as AFC Bournemouth make the trip to Stratford for today’s early evening kick-off.

Nuno Espírito Santo thought he would be just forty five minutes away from beating the Cherries back on November 22 but the Hammers surrendered a two-goal advantage to come away from Dorset with only a point. Now, just under four months later, it is crucial that they hold on for all three and if they do, they will go level on points with Nottingham Forest, who face a difficult task at home to Liverpool on Sunday.

Since taking charge at The Vitality Stadium in August 2023, Head-Coach Andoni Iraola has drawn all of his league matches against the Irons, so the home fans will certainly be hoping that he suffers a defeat this time around.

West Ham have only been beaten once since losing 2-1 to Nottingham Forest here back on January 6 and that was the same week that the visitors started their current unbeaten run in the top-flight after going eleven games without a victory.

Iraola’s team will undoubtedly be the fresher of the two sides here, as they haven’t played since their 2-1 triumph away at Everton the same night that the Irons drew with Manchester United.

Freddie Potts was preferred to Callum Wilson for the 1-1 draw against the Red Devils here eleven days ago, and with the youngster starting a suspension, due to the straight red card that he received in the cup tie against Sky Bet League One outfit Burton Albion last weekend, Wilson may get to play his former club again, just as he did in the reverse fixture. Alternatively, Soungoutou Magassa could retain his place from last weekend and fill the void left by Potts.

Jean-Clair Todibo is back from suspension after his straight red card in the London derby against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month, though he may face a battle with Axel Disasi to win back his place. If Espírito Santo decides to make further changes, then Adama Traoré could be handed his full debut since joining the club from Fulham, while it will be interesting to see whether Pablo Felipe is back involved after injury.

The match is a 5:30pm kick-off with live coverage being screened by Sky Sports from 5pm. The referee is Sam Barrott.