Wigan could be tougher than Arsenal game for Bournemouth

In a week that has started well for the Cherries it is very important that Wigan Athletic don't go and spoil it. It would be just Bournemouth's luck that they find all they have done by beating Arsenal is make themselves a bigger scalp for the league One side. I'm optimistic though that Wigan won't be under estimated and that the momentum Bournemouth have created can be built upon.

The FA Cup might not be a priority for either club, but the benefits a win bring can be more than just getting through to the next round. Bournemouth need to get a few players back in match trim and the game comes at a good time for some of the players. Many of those who sat on the bench on Saturday will surely play and Eddie Howe will be closely watching the form of those players who need to get back on track.

Wigan will be up for this game.

Wigan Athletic have just played the one match since the third Round FA Cup tie at Dean Court and they will have been a bit disappointed to only get a 0-0 draw with Peterborough at home. So this is another chance to show their fans that they can mix it with teams from higher divisions and they know they can't sit back but have to take the initiative like they did in the first game. If they don't get off to a great start though, Bournemouth should find they can play with a bit less pressure away from home and the win at the weekend should encourage those who missed out to press their claim again for Premier League starts.

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Bournemouth know that if they are sloppy Wigan have players that will put away chances and I think Eddie Howe will be asking his players to do more to make this a real test for Wigan. That may mean playing a few more big names than we saw in the first leg and it is likely that we will see Josh King and Junior Stanislas, if they are well enough recovered. Whatever team Howe puts out though, he will not want to go into next weekend's crunch game with West Ham without having seen more of his players play well. 

In other news, AFCB's training ground gets approval and AFCB say goodbye to former groundsman John Harris.

ASK Fans' match Preview West Ham Utd v AFCB