Preview: Bournemouth vs. Barnsley - prediction, team news, lineups

Last season's two beaten Championship playoff semi-finalists go head to head on Saturday as Bournemouth host Barnsley.

The Cherries look better-placed to mount another promotion push this year and currently sit sixth in the table, while the Tykes are 14th.

Match preview

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Bournemouth are unbeaten in their first five league games of the season, with two wins and three draws to their name so far.

A 0-0 draw with Hull City a fortnight ago, in which the Cherries dominated the possession and chances, was the first time they had drawn a blank this season after netting twice in each of their first four matches.

Dominic Solanke was denied three times by Matt Ingram at the MKM Stadium, but he will now be supported in attack by Jamal Lowe, who signed from Swansea City on deadline day.

Bournemouth's first two home games have finished as 2-2 draws, against West Bromwich Albion and Blackpool, despite Scott Parker's men taking the lead in both fixtures.

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Both of Barnsley's two away games so far have also finished as draws, against Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers, so perhaps the outcome of Saturday's fixture is somewhat inevitable.

Markus Schopp's side also had to settle for just a point on home turf last time out, as they drew 1-1 with Birmingham City.

Callum Styles gave the Tykes an early lead which was cancelled out by Lukas Jutkiewicz before half time, with Schopp suggesting that "we have so many things where we can improve".

Barnsley are only three points behind their hosts and would overtake them in the table with a two-goal victory on Saturday.

The South Yorkshire outfit came from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-2 in their last meeting in March – that was their first victory over the Cherries in seven attempts since 2004.

Team News

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Bournemouth duo Mark Travers and Philip Billing are both available again after missing the draw with Hull through illness.

Adam Smith is also back in contention having not featured since the opening day and David Brooks should be fit despite withdrawing from the Wales squad due to an injury he picked up at the MKM Stadium.

Deadline-day arrivals Ryan Christie and Jamal Lowe will both be eager to make their debuts, but face tough competition in midfield and attack respectively; Gary Cahill could make his Cherries bow in defence after improving his match fitness.

Barnsley could also hand out a couple of debuts on Saturday, with deadline day loan signing Claudio Gomes in contention to start, as well as Aaron Leya Iseka who has previously been unavailable due to a visa issue.

Liam Kitching is suspended after an incident of violent conduct in the draw with Birmingham, while Jordan Williams, Mads Andersen and Carlton Morris are all injured.

Michal Helik only returned from international duty on Thursday, with Markus Schopp admitting that the centre-back will be assessed ahead of the weekend.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Travers; Stacey, Mepham, Cahill, Kelly; Lerma, Billing, Marcondes; Brooks, Solanke, Lowe

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Collins; Sibbick, Helik, Moon; Brittain, Palmer, Benson, Styles; Leya Iseka, Woodrow, Oduor

We say: Bournemouth 3-1 Barnsley

With injured players returning and new signings bedding in, Bournemouth look set to only improve over the next few weeks. They have struggled for consistency under Parker so far, but we think they will take all three points against a Barnsley side still finding their feet under Schopp.