Bournemouth look to avoid a shock cupset as Scott Parker’s Cherries welcome Boreham Wood to Vitality Stadium in Fourth Round of 2021-22 FA Cup.
Bournemouth are chasing a second consecutive Fifth Round appearance, whereas Boreham Wood are looking to continue their longest-ever FA Cup run.
Team News
Lewis Cook is set to be available for Bournemouth after recovering from a knock.
Freddie Woodman, Nat Phillips and Todd Cantwell face late fitness tests ahead of potentially making their debuts for Bournemouth.
Fellow new signings, Siriki Dembele and Kieffer Moore won’t be available for selection after the pair were cup-tied following Third Round appearances for Peterborough and Cardiff respectively.
Chris Mepham (fitness) is a doubt but Ethan Laird (hamstring), Adam Smith (knee), David Brooks (illness) and Junior Stanislas (hamstring) are ruled out.
Boreham Wood could be without Josh Rees after the midfielder suffered a knock in their National League win over King’s Lynn Town last weekend.
Stat Attack
- This is Bournemouth’s first-ever meeting against Boreham Wood in all competitions.
- Boreham Wood are visiting Bournemouth for the very first time in all competitions.
- Bournemouth have kept just one clean sheet in their last five FA Cup matches (W4, L1).
- Scott Boden, Josh Rees and Adrian Clifton have all each scored twice for Boreham Wood within the first three proper rounds of this season’s FA Cup.
- Bournemouth have never reached the Fifth Round of the FA Cup in consecutive seasons, so victory would see them end that statistic.
Prediction
Following a recent rut with just one win in their last three games, Bournemouth definitely will need to build upon their league win at Barnsley last weekend if they’re to quickly re-establish themselves in the right direction.
Scott Parker’s Cherries however do still having issues finishing their chances after just three of 15 shots were converted onto target at Oakwell, which cannot be repeated here if they’re to avoid an embarrassing cupset.
Boreham Wood however won’t be on the South Coast to make up the numbers given that they do play a physical game with an excellent work rate, which does amplify the need for Bournemouth to turn up and play at their best with clinical finishing.
Another aspect of the National League team which Bournemouth should be wary of is their defence because they are yet to concede in the FA Cup this season, although I do not see that stat continuing beyond this game no matter the result.
My gut instinct however says that Bournemouth should get this done by hook or crook given the quality difference, yet this might be closer than expected after many higher-ranked teams struggled in what otherwise should be easy wins this weekend.
Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Boreham Wood
Result: Bournemouth 0-1 Boreham Wood