Both Bournemouth and Burnley will be looking to build on positive results last weekend when they lock horns in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The Cherries won at Chelsea last time out to move into 14th spot in the table, while Burnley climbed into 12th courtesy of a 1-0 success over Newcastle United.
Match preview
© Reuters
Bournemouth entered last weekend's clash with Chelsea having not been victorious in the Premier League since beating Manchester United at the end of November. Indeed, five straight league losses had seen them slide down the table during a very disappointing run of form.
Not too many of the fans would have expected much from Stamford Bridge last Saturday, but a Dan Gosling effort - given after the intervention of VAR - secured a huge win for Eddie Howe's side, moving them into 14th spot in the table.
The Cherries are only four points clear of the relegation zone, although they sit just four points off ninth-placed Crystal Palace, which is an indication of the type of season it has been thus far in England's top flight.
A win this weekend would move Bournemouth above Burnley in the table, but the Clarets have won the last two league meetings between the two sides, including a 3-1 victory in the reverse fixture back in April.
The south coast outfit have actually only won two of their last 12 encounters with Burnley in all competitions, suggesting that it will be a tough task for Howe's side on Saturday afternoon.
© Reuters
Burnley had also been on a disappointing run of form heading into last weekend's home game against Newcastle. Three straight defeats to Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur had arrived between November 30 and December 7, making the clash with the Magpies hugely important.
Steve Bruce's side entered the match in a fine run of form, but a second-half effort from Chris Wood saw the home team collect all three points.
Sean Dyche's outfit are currently 12th in the Premier League table having won six and drawn three of their 17 league outings this term. They are only actually four points off sixth-placed Manchester United, meaning that a strong festive period is likely to leave them in and around the top half of the table.
Burnley only have one Premier League away win to their name this season, which came at Watford on November 23. They conceded five at Tottenham in their last away clash but have picked up draws against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa on their travels.
Wood and Ashley Barnes are again posting strong numbers as the front two, meanwhile, with the former netting seven Premier League goals this term and the latter six, meaning that Bournemouth will more than likely have to defend well if they are to pick up a positive result in front of their own supporters.
Bournemouth Premier League form: LLLLLW
Burnley Premier League form: WWLLLW
Team News
© Reuters
Bournemouth still have a number of injury problems heading into this weekend's match, with Nathan Ake, Adam Smith, Steve Cook, Harry Wilson, Charlie Daniels and Lloyd Kelly all unavailable for selection.
Callum Wilson could overcome a thigh problem to start, although it would not be a surprise to see the same XI that started against Chelsea sent onto the field.
Dominic Solanke is perhaps the one individual pushing for a spot in the final third, but Howe will surely find it difficult to leave any players out due to the excellent performance at Stamford Bridge.
As for Burnley, Johann Berg Gudmundsson is still unavailable despite making progress in his recovery from a thigh problem, while Charlie Taylor, Kevin Long and Ben Gibson are likely to remain on the sidelines.
Dyche's team picked up no fresh problems against Newcastle, though, and Dwight McNeil is again expected to support Barnes and Wood in attack.
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Stacey, Francis, Mepham, Rico; Cook, Billing, Lerma, Gosling, Fraser; King
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Pope; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters; Hendrick, Westwood, Cork, McNeil; Wood, Barnes
We say: Bournemouth 1-1 Burnley
Burnley will fancy their chances of picking up all three points due to Bournemouth's injury list, but the fact that Howe's side were so impressive against Chelsea will hand the hosts confidence. We are finding it difficult to separate the two sides and therefore fancy a low-scoring draw at the Vitality Stadium.
body check tags ::
