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.
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