I am not sure it is the best time to take on the Potters. They have been in a bit of a rut with just one win in their last five games and Bournemouth will have to play at what is known as one of the windiest grounds in the country to try and get their first three points in 2021. Had Stoke won a few more of their last few games they would have been in the automatic promotion places, so it's another tricky fixture for Jason Tndall's men, and now they really have to get something from to stay in contention with the front runners in the league.
Tyrese Campbell and Nick Powell are their main strikers. Between them they have scored 12 goals with Campbell ahead on seven. Stoke have become a bit of the draw specialist with only two goals in their last five games. The important last win for them came against Blackburn Rovers and their last defeat was against Cardiff City at home on 8 December.
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Manager Michael O'Neill will be sweating on defender Josh Tymron and Steven Fletcher, the big Scottish forward. The influential midfielder Joe Allen is also possibly going to be available for this game and Jon Obi Mikel is another survivor from the club's Premier League days who could play a role in this fixture. It should be noted in the last two Stoke home games against Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City, they scored first and were pegged back. They may not be so strong off the bench and Tindall may stack the bench with attackers, ready for the second half subs to try and take advantage of a less effective Stoke City in the second half.
Bournemouth can expect Arnaut Danjuma to be back, or his injury has been worse than previously stated. We have heard that Jack Stacey is training again, but he is unlikely to make the squad just yet. I think we can expect quite a physical game and Bournemouth will have to defend set-pieces well against this side. Bournemouth need to get their away form going if they are to stay in the top few places in the league.The pressure is really on now.
Bournemouth Away Form
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Stoke City Home Form
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Tyrese Campbell has been out for a month with an acl injury which will keep him out for the season. His absence has coincided with the rut with Stoke struggling to score without him. Not only was he top scorer but also top creator. On top of that they are only just getting back as many as 9 players who would want to playing in the first team, mainly creative ones who have been injured long term, have no fit left back so have had to resort to wing backs which does not suit the squad at all. Powell is struggling for form and fitness. I would say it is the best time to be playing them.
ReplyDeleteIts a good job Stoke City fans are not present today. Many Like me remember the disgraceful cherries last visit to the Bet 365, A more cynical, cheating, conninving, diving, timewasting, injury feigning and cowardly all around plain annoying Bournemouth AFC cynical performance and, shortest ever Premier league game recorded 'in play' Stoke City fans have ever witnessed. Many have not forgotten nor forgiven.
ReplyDeleteClear off, you got what you deserved again
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