2019-20 Premier League: Week Nine – Bournemouth vs Norwich

Bournemouth continue their hunt for a top six spot as they take on relegation battling Norwich City at the Vitaly Stadium.

A win for Bournemouth could send them into the top six depending on other results around them going their way, whilst Norwich could move out of the bottom three if can take all three points.

 

Team news

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Chris Mepham could feature for Bournemouth after recovering from a calf strain, which kept him out of Wales’ Euro 2020 qualifiers.

Adam Smith (hamstring) and David Brooks (ankle) are both close to making a first-team return but won’t be risked until they’re ready.

Dan Gosling (hip), Charlie Daniels and Junior Stanislas (both knee) are still ruled out for at least another month.

Norwich could have Tim Krul back in goal after recovering from a back injury, as Daniel Farke prepares to welcome back a host of regulars.

Ralf Fahrmann, Alex Tettey, Ben Godfrey (all groin), Jamal Lewis (knee), Todd Cantwell (hamstring), Mario Vrancic (calf) and Tom Trybull (ankle) are also expected to be available.

Kenny McLean is doubtful after withdrawing from international duty for Scotland with a niggle picked up just prior to their defeat in Russia.

Onel Hernandez, Timm Klose (both knee), Christoph Zimmerman (ankle) and Grant Hanley (groin) are all ruled out.

 

Form

Bournemouth saw a three match unbeaten league run ended last time out after a narrow defeat at Arsenal, but have taken points from three of their four home games so far this season.

Norwich have just two wins from eight league outings and are winless on the road, although they have lost each of their last three away trips by 2-0 results. 

 

Stat Attack 

• Bournemouth are unbeaten in three of their last five meetings with Norwich in all competitions (W2, D1, L2). 
• In their two previous Premeir League meetings in the 2015-16 season, both teams won their home leg with three goals although Bournemouth did manage one away goal unlike Norwich. 
• Both teams have scored in three of their last four meetings at the Vitaly Stadium, with Norwich winning twice to Bournemouth’s one although the Cherries did run out 3-0 winners in January 2016 as well.
• Norwich’s Emiliano Buendia is the only non Manchester City player to have made at least four assists so far this season. 
• Bournemouth’s Steve Cook has made a league high 61 clearances in eight games this season. 

 

Prediction

Daniel Farke will be relieved to have several Norwich regulars back from injury because after a dire display against Aston Villa a fortnight ago, I would of expected a similar outcome against Bournemouth. 

I therefore now can see a good game coming here because Bournemouth haven’t really been clinical enough when on top of the opposition at home, which will give Norwich hope with their fast counter attacks. 

Bournemouth however need to start stepping up because this a huge chance to kick-start a proper top ten tilt, particularly given the Canaries’ poor away form and I have to favour them as a consequence to get all three points. 

Prediction: Bournemouth 3-1 Norwich City

Result: Bournemouth 0-0 Norwich City