AFCB have to meet Liverpool challenge head on

The match against Liverpool will be extremely hard. AFCB can either try and hang in and defend their goal while hoping for a break up field or they can go and play their positive pressing game and look to shut Liverpool off at their source. Both scenarios have risks and knowing Eddie Howe he is most likely to go for the positive option as if it pays off the Cherries would give themselves an even bigger boost if they could come away with three points having played the game in their usual expressive way.

At least Daniel Sturridge won't be playing.

A lot may depend on how much Eddie has confidence in Callum Wilson to lead the line on his own at such a venue. It is the easier option to play this way and to pack the midfield behind him if AFCB want to be solid. It's not AFCB's approach though to be overly negative and having played Liverpool a couple of times in the last few months it maybe that Eddie wants to try something different and to see his players get behind Brendan Rodgers side rather than have them play in front of AFCB and see them looking to pick holes through the Cherries lines.

I'm sure Eddie will use pace to cause Liverpool problems. Going at Liverpool will be difficult but it is the way this Bournemouth side plays best and I think it is the best chance of them getting a shock win. When Liverpool are stunned early in games they don't necessarily come back. Get a lead though and Liverpool have the players to close out games easily.

My predicted team to start against Liverpool

Probable Cherries' team: (4-1-4-1) Boruc (GK), Francis (RB), Elphick (CD), Distin (CD), Daniels (LB), O’Kane (DM), Ritchie (RW), Tomlin (CM), Surman (CM), Pugh (LW), Wilson (FW)

Subs: Federici (GK), Mings (LB), Cook (CD), Smith (RB/RW/LW) Gradel (RW/LW), Atsu (LW/FW), King (FW/LW) 

I have left out Kermorgant and Gosling after last week's performances! Will Eddie Howe remain loyal to them and will he give Mings or Gradel a start? I only suggest that Tomlin might come in along with Distin.