Bournemouth vs Leeds Preview: Team News & Prediction
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AFC Bournemouth are in the hunt for UEFA Champions League qualification as the Cherries welcome Leeds United to the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday night.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Peacock
Bournemouth preview: Pushing for Europe
Despite it being known that Andoni Iraola will depart Bournemouth at the end of this season, and it being confirmed that Marco Rose will replace him, the Cherries remain in the hunt for a top five or six finish – which could be enough for UEFA Champions League qualification.
The Cherries come into this one on the back of a hard-fought 2-1 defeat of Newcastle United at St James’ Park at the weekend, with goals from Marcus Tavernier and Adrien Truffert either side of a Will Osula strike.
Leeds preview: Focus on the FA Cup
Leeds United have pushed themselves clear of the bottom three and the relegation places and they can now focus on an FA Cup semi-final as they face Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in a few days.
Leeds backed up their famous 2-1 defeat of Manchester United by hammering Wolverhampton Wanderers by three goals to nil, courtesy of goals from James Justin, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Bournemouth team news: Cook getting closer
Key man Lewis Cook is getting back towards full fitness but the England international midfielder has only just returned to training and may not be ready to be involved just yet.
Another man back in training but not yet ready to be available is Julio Soler, while versatile Netherlands international attacker Justin Kluivert remains sidelined.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Christie; Rayan, Kroupi, Tavernier; Evanilson
Unavailable: Kluivert (Injured)
Questionable: Soler (Fitness), Cook (Fitness)
Leeds team news: Probable rotation
It is expected that Leeds will rotate as they make the trip down to the capital city to face Chelsea with the likes of Jaka Bijol and Noah Okafor having returned to fitness and playing well in recent games.
The visitors do have some confirmed injury absentees until at least next weekend, though, as midfielder Anton Stach remains sidelined alongside Daniel James.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Darlow; Rodon, Bornauw, Struijk; Bogle, Longstaff, Gruev, Gudmundsson; Nmecha, Gnonto; Calvert-Lewin
Unavailable: Stach (Injured), James (Injured)
Questionable:
Bournemouth vs Leeds prediction
Andoni Iraola is one of the most highly-rated coaches in Europe. Bournemouth’s back-to-back wins away at Newcastle and Arsenal has extended the hosts’ unbeaten run of form to 13 matches in the Premier League. Leeds are in an awkward spot because they have more or less secured survival and will now likely prioritise the cup so siding with a home win appears the way to go for this one at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth vs Leeds tip: Bournemouth to win
