Bournemouth to end losing streak

Bournemouth host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. The two clubs are separated by six points in the Premier League table. With 12 games to go, both sides are positioning themselves for the final standings. Unless something dramatic happens, neither side will make Europe thanks to league position.

However, Wolves are still alive in the FA Cup and will clash with Manchester United in the quarterfinals in March. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s team will have one eye on their last-eight fixture with Manchester United as the club attempts to win silverware.

The Cherries have experienced an incredibly inconsistent season. Eddie Howe’s team has been up and down in the table currently resting in 11th. Bournemouth have benefitted from a great start to the season. They went undefeated in eight of their first 10 games, but since November 3rd, Bournemouth have won just four times. They have lost 11 times in that timeframe.

Wolves are undefeated in their last seven matches in all competitions. Five of those games ended in wins for Santo’s side. Wolves won the teams’ previous meeting this season, 2-0, at the Molineaux. Prior to that meeting, the teams had only recently played in the 2014-15 Championship season. Bournemouth gained victory in both games in the Championship.

Bournemouth have claimed 24 of 33 points at home this term. Howe’s side has thrived at home claiming seven wins and posting the seventh best points total on home turf. Wolves have collected 18 of their 39 points on their travels. They have recorded a zero-goal difference having given up 14 goals while scoring 14.

Wolves defender Matt Doherty has been stellar down the right-hand side for Wolves this season. He recorded an assist in last weekend’s FA Cup win over Bristol City. However, Doherty limped off late in the game with an injury. Santo has claimed it is just a “knock”, so his absence hasn’t yet been confirmed. It is believed he will be fit for the fixture.

Bournemouth have more pressing injury worries as Callum Wilson, David Brooks, and Simon Francis are all sidelined. Wilson is an extremely big miss as the striker leads the team with 10 Premier League goals. Dominic Solanke will most likely start against Wolves due to Wilson’s absence.

Wolves may be in better form currently, but with an eye on their big date with Manchester United in the FA Cup, their focus will dip. Wolves have played down to their opponents before and Saturday is destined to be a loss for Santo’s team. Bournemouth will win at home where they have been far stronger than on the road this term.