2019-20 Premier League: Week Seven – Bournemouth vs West Ham

High flying Bournemouth and West Ham meet at the Vitaly Stadium as sixth takes on fifth in the Premier League. 

One point currently separate these teams and whoever wins could move into the top four, as both look to put humiliating midweek Cup defeats behind them.

 

Team news

Bournemouth have no fresh injury concerns as Dan Gosling (groin) and David Brooks (ankle) remain on course to return after the October international break.

Charlie Daniels and Junior Stanislas are still sidelined with knee injuries alongside Adam Smith, who is recovering from a thigh injury.

West Ham have Arthur Masuaku available after the Frenchman returned in midweek following an one match ban. 

Ryan Fredricks is a doubt with a muscular injury and could join Michail Antonio (thigh), Manuel Lanzini (ankle) and Winston Reid (knee) on the sidelines. 

 

Form

Bournemouth have suffered three defeats in their last five across all competitions, having suffered a shock Carabao Cup exit in midweek at Burton. 

The Cherries however have scored in all six league outings so far with Callum Wilson netting four goals in his last three league appearances.  

West Ham also suffered a shock away defeat in midweek as Oxford United dumped them out of the Carabao Cup, although they haven’t lost in their last five league outings with three wins and two draws.

 

Stat Attack

• Bournemouth have lost two of eight Premier League meetings with West Ham (W4, D2, L2).
• Both teams have scored in six of their eight Premier League meetings.
• Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson scored in both meetings against West Ham last season, with both goals coming in the second half.
• Three of Bournemouth’s 11 league goals have come from outside the box this season.
• Ryan Fraser and Manuel Lanzini are the only respective Bournemouth and West Ham players to have made more than one through ball in six outings this season, with both making two through balls.

 

Prediction

Both teams were defensively shambolic in midweek with a distinct lack of marking from either club, which doesn’t give the rested first team regulars much to worry about coming into this clash. 

We therefore are set for a good battle between two strong midfield teams who aren’t light on goals in this fixture, which I reckon will favour Bournemouth if they can replicate their recent clinical displays and put Wednesday’s embarrassment behind them. 

Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 West Ham United

Result: Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham United