Overview
Bournemouth is in relatively good form in the Premier League 2024-2025 season. In the last 3 matches, the Vitality home team won all 9 points, scored 7 goals and is currently ranked 7th on the rankings. They surpassed Newcastle, Tottenham and Man United (before round 16).
Bournemouth are unbeaten in seven of their last 10 Premier League games, including incredible wins over top teams like Tottenham, Arsenal and defending champions Man City.
This is the first time in history that The Cherries have made such a good start in the Premier League with 24 points after 15 games. Coach Andoni Iraola has played a very important role in their success.
These impressive achievements have forced Bournemouth's board of directors to urgently plan to extend Iraola's contract. This will certainly become a great motivation to boost the working spirit of the Spanish strategist and his students.
In contrast to Iraola, Lopetegui of West Ham is facing the risk of being fired. Since the beginning of the season, The Hammers have played very inconsistently. Despite the recent victory against Wolves, they have suffered 3 defeats in the last 5 matches.
Notably, in 7 matches against teams in the top half of the rankings, West Ham could not win, including 5 losses.
In terms of head-to-head record, West Ham are unbeaten in their last 5 meetings with Bournemouth, with 3 wins and 2 draws. However, the balance of power is currently tilted towards Bournemouth. Having to travel to Vitality Stadium at this time is clearly a difficult challenge for The Hammers.
Human resources situation
Bournemouth will be without Marcos Senesi, Marcus Tavernier, Alex Scott, Luis Sinisterra and Julian Araujo through injury.
On the other side of the front line, West Ham striker Michail Antonio is still in hospital due to a traffic accident. Meanwhile, Emerson Palmieri is banned from playing.
Expected lineup:
Bournemouth: Kepa, Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez, Christie, Cook, Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara, Evanilson.
West Ham: Fabianski, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Cresswell, Soucek, Alvarez, Kudus, Soler, Summerville, Bowen.
The match between Bournemouth and West Ham takes place at 3:00 am on December 17 (Vietnam time).
