Andoni Iraola will have been utterly disappointed at how his team squandered a golden chance to get into a European place after another promising campaign. By the end of February, the Cherries were in fifth place, but two victories in the next twelve games have restricted their chances to mount a considerable challenge for one of the continental tournaments.
Earlier this week, a visit to the Etihad to face Manchester City was the final nail in their coffin with regards to European qualification, as a defeat there all but ended the last lingering hope. Ahead of the final day of the season, the Cherries can finish 12th as their lowest position, but could also make it to the top ten with a victory if teams above them drop points.
As for Leicester City, this is the end of the road in the Premier League for now, after a dismal season upon their return to the top flight. The former title winners are now a shadow of the great team of 2015-16, and there’s plenty of work ahead for them to make something in the Championship and find a way for a swift return to the top flight.
Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to leave the Foxes once the season concludes, as Leicester City are inclined to go in another direction with regards to the new season. While being terrible throughout the season, Leicester City are on a good patch of form as they are without a defeat in their last three games, which includes wins over Southampton and Ipswich Town, while they found a point against Nottingham Forest recently.
However, Jamie Vardy deserves a word after he played his 500th and final game for Leicester City in the 2-0 win over Ipswich Town. He finished his time there by scoring his 200th goal for the club, as he has chosen not to play in this final game of the season away at Bournemouth.
Bournemouth boss Iraola could field a few of his current stars for the last time in a Cherries shirt, as the likes of Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez are all expected to depart in the summer. There are rumours about Antoine Semenyo too, with a lot of big clubs looking at the attacker ahead of the window.
As for injury-led absentees Enes Unal, Ryan Christie, Dango Ouattara and Luis Sinisterra are out of contention, while Lewis Cook will miss out with a suspension following his red card against Man City. In any case, Iraola still has the tools to field a strong lineup, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, another one of the players who will leave as things stand fixed between the sticks.
Adam Smith, Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi and Kerkez will be the back four for the Cherries, while Alex Scott and Tyler Adams could form a midfield partnership. Semenyo, Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier are all set to feature in the attacking setup alongside striker Evanilson.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Kepa; Araujo, Huijsen, Zabarnyi, Kerkez; Scott, Adams; Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson
Without Vardy in the squad, Leicester will still be able to name a lineup similar to their win over Ipswich Town. One of Patson Daka or Jordan Ayew could feature in place of the legendary Foxes forward.
The likes of Abdul Fatawu, Mads Hermansen, Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Stephy Mavididi are all missing from action. There’s also the chance that Van Nistelrooy recalls Facundo Buonanotte into the lineup, with Bilal El-Khannouss and Kasey McAteer are all expected to feature in the attacking setup.
Ricardo Pereira, Conor Coady, Wout Faes and Luke Thomas will feature at the back, with Oliver Skipp and Wilfried Ndidi in central midfield.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Stolarczyk; Pereira, Coady, Faes, Thomas; Ndidi, Skipp; McAteer, Buonanotte, El Khannouss; Ayew
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There’s nothing specific to pick from the host of players ahead of this game, although Semenyo’s name might be crucial as this could be his last appearance for Bournemouth. There are other players like Huijsen, Kerkez, Kepa and even Kluivert who could leave for a bigger challenge, Semenypo might be their biggest loss in terms of attacking threat.
There’s an expectation from the Ghanaian winger to perform well in this game against Leicester, as a load of big clubs are circling for his signature. It remains to be seen whether he will wear the red and black stripes of the Cherries next season, but for now, he’s probably expected to depart for a bigger club in the summer.
Both teams have nothing to gain or lose ahead of this game, as Leicester City has been showing some good form of late. The Foxes are unbeaten in their last three league games, and Van Nistelrooy will want to go out on a high note and improve this undefeated streak.
As for Bournemouth, they will be a bit deflated after their chances of European football vanished in midweek, as there’s only pride to play for. Iraola must see off this group ahead of the summer break in good spirits, which is probably the only reason for a good performance here. As things stand, our prediction is for an entertaining draw at the Vitality between these two teams.
