Bournemouth vs West Ham Preview: Team News & Prediction
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West Ham seek back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season, but that will be no easy task against a Bournemouth side who have claimed some notable scalps at the Vitaity Stadium recently.
Kick-off date/time: Monday 16th December, 2024: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Fubo
Bournemouth Preview: Strong form
Bournemouth are going along nicely right now and have recorded three straight wins for the first time this season, most recently securing a late comeback win against Ipswich at Portman Road last weekend with substitutes Enes Unal and Dango Ouattara scoring late on for the Cherries.
Andoni Iraola's side have also won four of their last five games at the Vitality Stadium - a run that includes wins over Arsenal, Man City and Tottenham.
West Ham Preview: Up and down
In what seemed like another skin-saving result for Julen Lopetegui, West Ham edged Wolves 2-1 on Monday and there is now a healthy gap between themselves and the teams in the relegation zone.
The Hammers have struggled to produce consistent performances and results though, and have failed to win back-back Premier League games this season. In fact, they have only managed that feat once throughout the whole of 2024.
Bournemouth Team News: Tavernier out but Adams available
Tyler Adams has been passed fit and could find himself occupying one of the defensive midfield roles, but Marcus Tavernier will miss out with a muscle injury. As a result, Ryan Christie may be asked to move further forward to fill the void, with Ouattara another option.
Tavernier joins Marcos Senesi, Julian Araujo, Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra on the sidelines.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson
Unavailable: Senesi (Injured), Araujo (Injured), Scott (Injured), Tavernier (Injured), Sinisterra (Injured)
Questionable:
West Ham Team News: Emerson suspended
Emerson Palmieri reached five Premier League yellow cards last weekend and is suspended as a result, with veteran left-back Aaron Cresswell a ready-made replacement. Michail Antonio, meanwhile, continues his recovery from a horror car crash and has undergone lower limb surgery.
Jarrod Bowen has been filling in up front but fit-again Niclas Fullkrug is another options should Lopetegui opt for a different approach.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Cresswell; Alvarez, Soucek; Kudus, Paqueta, Summerville; Bowen
Unavailable: Emerson (Suspended), Antonio (Injured)
Questionable:
Bournemouth vs West Ham Prediction
With West Ham seemingly unable to string wins together, the smart money would be on a Bournemouth win here, with the Cherries eyeing up a fourth straight Premier League victort as they push into the top half of the table.
Considering the fact that they have beaten the likes of Arsenal, Man City and Tottenham on home turf in recent times, the hosts are certainly capable of making light work of an often disjointed West Ham outfit, who do not inspire confidence under Lopetegui.
Bournemouth vs West Ham Tip: Bournemouth to win
