Bournemouth, who face Tottenham Hotspur this week, entered the weekend on the back of a ten-game winless run, but their home form did provide some level of optimism before taking on Arsenal. The Cherries took a surprise lead in the game after Gabriel Magalhaes gifted Evanilson a goal following a terrible pass, but the defender made amends with an equaliser in quick time.
Declan Rice was the hero for Arsenal, following his second-half double, as Eli Junior Kroupi’s late but sensational strike for Bournemouth proved futile. The defeat left Bournemouth in 15th place, and without a win in 11 games as things stand.
Ahead of the midweek schedule, the Vitality Stadium plays host to the other North London team in Tottenham, and Andoni Iraola would hope to end the dismal run. Once again, this is an opposition that have a fantastic away record, but all of Bournemouth’s five wins this term have come on home soil, which does make this upcoming clash an interesting one.
Meanwhile, Tottenham continued to stumble in their efforts to get out of the bottom half of the table, as they languish in 13th place heading into the midweek schedule. Following their draw last week against Brentford away from home, Spurs could only share the points with a resilient Sunderland side in North London at the weekend.
A late Brian Brobbey strike cancelled out an early goal from Ben Davies, which left Spurs with only two wins in their last 11 Premier League games. Moreover, their dismal home record under Thomas Frank continued, as the North Londoners still only have two league wins all season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Now, Frank could use the occasion of playing away from home, as Spurs are one of the best teams on the road this term. Tottenham did falter the last time out on New Year’s Day during their trip to Brentford, and Frank will hope this outing at Bournemouth brings a different result, preferably a win.
Antoine Semenyo continues to grab the headlines, as widespread reports state this could be his final game for the Cherries. Furthermore, there are suggestions of a reported agreement between the Ghanaian international and Bournemouth to play the three games against Chelsea, Arsenal, and now Tottenham Hotspur.
If available, the attacker is expected to start in his customary left wing role. Tyler Adams, Ben Gannon-Doak, Veljko Milosavljevic, Ryan Christie, Matai Akinmboni, and Will Dennis are sidelined for the hosts.
Bournemouth have addressed the goalkeeping situation due to the latter’s injury by signing Fraser Forster on a free transfer. The only positive news from the weekend is the return of Lewis Cook, who made an appearance off the bench against Arsenal after a spell on the sidelines with a neck problem.
Cook could be an option for Andoni Iraola in the midfield, although he might stick with Marcus Tavernier and Alex Scott there. Overall, there might be a single change as Bafode Diakite might come in for James Hill, while the others might retain their places, including striker Evanilson.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Jimenez, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Tavernier, Scott; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson
While there are questions about Semenyo playing this game, his compatriot over at Tottenham, Mohammed Kudus, may not be featuring in midweek. The winger sustained a thigh injury against Sunderland, joining six other first-team stars on the sidelines or those who have travelled to the AFCON.
Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke are the ones sidelined with injury issues. Kudus’s absence could lead to questions over the depth in the wide areas, particularly after they sold Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace a few days ago.
There is a possibility that Thomas Frank could once again rotate one of his full-backs, with Djed Spence coming in for Pedro Porro, although he might even retain the same back four that featured against Sunderland. Similarly, there might be an alteration in the midfield as Joao Palhinha might come in for Rodrigo Bentancur to play alongside Archie Gray.
While Kudus is likely to be absent, Xavi Simons returns from his suspension, and he could potentially replace the Ghanaian on the right, to allow balance in the other areas. Lucas Bergvall might continue in the attacking midfield role, while Randal Kolo Muani could replace Mathys Tel on the left, and Richarlison will continue to lead the line for Tottenham against Bournemouth.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Davies; Gray, Palhinha; Simons, Bergvall, Kolo Muani; Richarlison
Semenyo could bid his goodbyes on Wednesday when he is expected to play his last game for Bournemouth, as he nears his impending move to Manchester City. It could be one of those games where the London-born winger performs at his best, and Spurs might be troubled by it.
Semenyo has been top-notch for the past season and a half for the Cherries, and it would only be fitting that he bows out with a good performance. The Ghanaian international is likely to be the man in focus, as Andoni Iraola will hope for a good display from his star player, who is now expected to leave this week.
Tottenham are not up to the races at the moment, and while they are creating decent chances to help them in games, the overall performances have not been good enough. They are a force away from home, but given their overall dismal record over the past 11 games or so, it is difficult to see them get a win away at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth may have lost out to a brilliant Arsenal side, but they did trouble Mikel Arteta’s men to a good degree. The pressing in that game, should it continue against Spurs, the visitors might find life difficult here. While the Cherries themselves are keen to get out of an 11-game winless run, it is difficult to see anything beyond an entertaining draw on Wednesday.
