Bournemouth host Liverpool in a huge Premier League clash in the race for European qualification.
Victory could lift Bournemouth up to 13th and six points off the Reds if Tottenham fail to win at Burnley, whilst Liverpool will stay fourth for another matchweek with a win.
Team News
Marcus Tavernier is ruled out for Bournemouth after he suffered a hamstring injury in their 1-1 draw at Brighton.
Enes Unal (adductor) could return if he passes a late fitness check, but midfielder – Alex Toth is set to make his club debut.
Julio Soler (unspecified), David Brooks, Will Dennis (both ankle), Ben Doak (hamstring), Tyler Adams, Justin Kluivert (both knee) and Matai Akinmboni (muscle) remain absent.
Liverpool could again be without Federico Chiesa after a knock forced him to sit out their 3-0 Champions League victory at Marseille on Wednesday evening.
Ibrahima Konate (personal), Alex Isak (leg), Conor Bradley (knee) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Bournemouth host Liverpool at Vitality Stadium on Saturday 24 January at 5:30pm GMT, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Bournemouth have lost their last five league meetings against Liverpool (L5).
- Liverpool have won five of their last six league meetings against Bournemouth (W5, L1).
- Arne Slot’s Reds have kept clean sheets in three of their last four meetings against Bournemouth.
- Evanilson and Eli Junior Kroupi have both scored in Bournemouth’s last two home games (W1, L1).
- Liverpool have dropped six points in their last five away top-flight games (W2, D3).
Prediction
Having snatched an unsurprising draw at Brighton despite having led much of the game, Bournemouth now need to just continue their recent improvement but defensive issues do remain, whilst Tavernier will be a big miss on the flanks so they really need to be clinical when chances fall their way.
Liverpool meanwhile did a superb job of getting on the front foot and clinically dispatching Marseille in midweek – even if a lot of patience and build-up was needed to unlock that final-third quality, yet it was effective and ruthless against tough opposition so I expect more of the same here.
Arne Slot’s Reds also are unbeaten in their last five domestic away games and with Salah back, I don’t see that changing but Bournemouth should give them a good fight.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Liverpool
Result: Bournemouth 3-2 Liverpool
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