AFC Bournemouth vs West Brom: Preview & Prediction

AFC Bournemouth and West Brom meet at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, both looking to return to winning ways in Dorset.

Eddie Howe’s Cherries; now in their second season in the top-flight, had to settle for a share of the spoils in their last outing, a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Josh King initially gave Bournemouth an 11th minute lead, only for Palace centre-back Scott Dann to equalise in injury-time with a towering header, preserving a point for Alan Pardew’s Eagles.

The point in South-East London means that Bournemouth are currently without a victory so far this term, following on from two defeats and a draw, which leaves them rooted in 19th in the table.

Jack Wilshere was the eye catching coup for Bournemouth on Deadline Day, as the midfielder signed on a season-long loan from Arsenal.

Tony Pulis takes his West Brom side to the south-coast after witnessing his Baggies outfit playing out a goalless draw with newly-promoted Middlesbrough at the Hawthorns last Sunday.

In their three fixtures to date, Albion have recorded just the solitary victory, which came courtesy of Salomon Rondon’s second-half header on the opening weekend.

The Midlands club, who were recently sold to a Chinese consortium, will look to turn a corner after acquiring recent summer acquisitions, including Nacer Chadli and Hal Robson-Kanu.

Last season, the two teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium back in May, as Matt Ritchie’s late goal cancelled out Rondon’s opener.

Cherries boss, Howe (Left), has recently been linked with replacing Arsene Wenger at Arsenal in the future – Photo: Kieran Clarke / Offside.

Team News:

Howe is set to hand a competitive debut to Cherries loan signing Wilshere following his late move from North London.

Full-back Tyrone Mings could also be included, 13 months after breaking his leg on his competitive debut, after making his long-awaited comeback in a testimonial match against AC Milan last Saturday.

Winger Junior Stanislas is doubtful for the visit of West Brom with a groin injury.

West Brom could hand Premier League debuts to new signings, Chadli and Robson-Kanu, after the duo moved to the Hawthorns late in the transfer window.

Midfielder Chris Brunt is still nursing a knee problem, which the Northern Irishman sustained in March.

League Positions:  Bournemouth – 19th (1pt); West Brom – 10th (4pts)
Last Meeting:  Bournemouth 1-1 West Brom – (May 7, 2016)
League Form:  Bournemouth – LLD; West Brom – WLD
Key Men:  Bournemouth – Jack Wilshere; West Brom – Salomon Rondon
Shoot Says: Bournemouth 1-2 West Brom