West Ham play Bournemouth tonight in the Premier League at the Vitality Stadium and its expected to be a great game, especially if the last game in August is anything to go by.
We bring you your match preview for tonight.
What sort of season are the teams having?
West Ham have had a mixed season but are finally putting some results together and are now eight games unbeaten in all competitions and sit in sixth place going into this.
As for Bournemouth, they’ve also had a mixed season and suffered some tough results following injuries to key players. However they’ve started to grind out some victories and have achieved some great victories against the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea. They sit in 16th place going in to this tie.
Team News?
West Ham are still without Manuel Lanzini and Victor Moses however Dimitri Payet and Winston Reid are expected to play having successfully returned from injuries. Enner Valencia has travelled with the squad after a late fitness test.
Bournemouth are attempting to get new signings Juan Iturbe, Benik Afobe and Lewis Grabban ready for the match. They could all feature. The Cherries are still without Callum Wilson, Tommy Elphick and Max Gradel who are still out with long term injuries.
What happened last time?
It was a brilliant match for the neutral as Bournemouth beat West Ham 4-3 at Upton Park. Callum Wilson bagged his first Premier League hat trick to secure a historic win for Bournemouth. A day to forget for West Ham and they’ll be looking to get revenge tonight.
Key Players?
An easy answer for West Ham is Dimitri Payet, who is chief chance creator and has a massive impact on games. Expected to start his first game since returning from injury. Other key players of late are James Collins and James Tomkins who have been brilliant at the back.
For Bournemouth, due to injuries they don’t really have a key player. Matt Ritchie has gone off the boil since his good start to the season. Former Hammers player Junior Stanislas has been in excellent form recently however Bournemouth will look to their new signings for inspiration in front of goal.
What tactics can we expect?
West Ham will bring a fast paced counter attacking style to the Vitality but will also look to defend in numbers. Depending on whether Andy Carroll plays, there could be a lot of crosses into the Bournemouth box.
Bournemouth will set up to defend as they have had to so in many games recently. They will also look to counter with the pace of Josh King and Stanislas however we could see a return to Bournemouth’s flowing style of play with the introduction of the new signings.
Match Prediction?
I think that it will be tight game with both teams having well organised defences however I think West Ham will have enough fire power to beat Bournemouth 2-1.
