Wednesday, 22 July 2020

Delight and agony - AFCB fans see relegation battle go to last game

Bournemouth fans could rub their hands with some glee again and go and get their hidden scarfs and shorts out of the dustbin, as the unlikely escape was back on after Man City thumped a demoralised Watford 0-4. There was some caution though as Bournemouth fans still had to wait to see what Arsenal would do against Aston Villa. It was a flat Arsenal performance and Aston Villa kept a 1-0 lead to also go three points ahead of Bournemouth, but we knew that the relegation battle would now go down to the last game no matter what.
Destiny is not in AFCB's own hands but at least they are not out of it with a game to go.
There is every chance now that the 17th place in the Premier League this season could be decided by goal difference. We could have three teams  on 34 points. Arguably none of these teams have played well enough to stay up, but there is a place for one of them. A 1-0 win for Bournemouth and two 1-0 defeats for Aston Villa and Arsenal would save Eddie Howe's side. But a draw or a win for Aston Villa or Watford and Bournemouth will have to adapt to life in the Championship.
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Bournemouth fans could just peak from between their closed fingers again and start to imagine again what a win at Everton would mean. It is the hope that rally hurts and yet Bournemouth fans have to believe their team has been given yet another opportunity to climb out of the relegation places.

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The pole position is held by Aston Villa now, who may only need a point against West Ham to secure their Premier League place if Watford can't beat Arsenal.  Is till think it will be between Bournemouth and Watford. The way Arsenal played against Aston Villa, you have to fancy Watford to get something in their last game. It is going to be nail biting, but Bournemouth have to beat Everton as their first job, to stand any chance of avoiding the drop. After that they can worry about goal difference and goals scored if Aston Vil and Watford have not added one or three points to their totals.

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1 comment:

  1. Anonymous22 July 2020 at 13:34

    Top teams - like Arsenal - rarely play a complete stinker twice in succession.
    However, can't help thinking that for these teams regrouping in the Championship may turn out the better long term option - like tennis players dropping down to the Challengers to regain form and confidence.
    They would all still be favourites for relegation next season, with top players still leaving (Ake, King, Grealish) and with virtually no time to plan reinforcements or fix inherent problems.

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