2019-20 Premier League: Week 18 – Bournemouth vs Burnley

Bournemouth look to build on last weekend’s shock win over Chelsea as they welcome Burnley to the Vitaly Stadium. 

A win for the Cherries will move them closer towards the top ten whilst Burnley could go ninth with victory, and also depending on if other results elsewhere go in their favour. 

 

Team news

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Bournemouth could have Callum Wilson available after missing last weekend’s win at Chelsea with a hamstring strain. 

Andrew Surman meanwhile is doubtful with a calf injury picked up last weekend. 

Steve Cook could return in the New Year from a wrist injury picked up earlier this month at Crystal Palace. 

Nathan Ake (hamstring), Adam Smith (ankle), Charlie Daniels (knee), Lloyd Kelly (thigh), Harry Wilson (leg), Arnaut Danjuma (foot), David Brooks and Joshua King (both ankle) are all ruled out for the foreseeable future. 

Burnley could have Charlie Taylor available after the defender was sidelined in recent weeks with a hamstring injury. 

Kevin Long (hip) could also feature but Chris Wood (Achilles) and Ashley Westwood (groin) face late fitness tests. 

Johann Berg Gudmundsson (hamstring) and Ben Gibson (groin) are ruled out but could return on Boxing Day away at Everton. 

 

Form

Bournemouth ended a five match losing streak last time out through Dan Gosling’s late winner to stun Chelsea, but the Cherries have taken just five points from their last five home games (W1, D2, L2). 

Burnley halted their second run of three consecutive defeats through Chris Wood’s headed winner against Newcastle last weekend, although the Clarets have taken just six points in eight away trips this season (W1, D3, L4).

 

Stat Attack

• Bournemouth have taken just six points from six previous Premier League meetings with Burnley (W2, L4). 
• Ashley Barnes scored braces in both meetings last season at Burnley, although one part of his brace at the Vitaly Stadium was an own goal. 
• Both teams have scored in their last four meetings at the Vitaly Stadium. 
• No Bournemouth player has been subbed on more times this season than Dominic Solanke, who has made seven of his 15 league appearances this season from the bench. 
• Burnley last season went on four sets of three consecutive league defeats, with two of those runs also happening pre Xmas, although their third set ran across the festive period before the last came at end of season. 

 

Prediction

Bournemouth produced an excellent display to beat Chelsea last weekend but with their constant injury crisis, I feel that they need another stern performance if are to win here. 

Burnley however are inconsistent but if they turn up and play their usual long ball game, they should be too much for the Cherries’ defence to handle pace wise. 

I therefore am expecting a tough game between two strong mid-table teams but for me, Burnley have the edge due to the quality available at their disposal unlike Bournemouth. 

Prediction: Bournemouth 0-1 Burnley

Result: Bournemouth 0-1 Burnley