Bournemouth will welcome relegation battlers Middlesbrough to the Vitality Stadium this Saturday in Matchweek 34 of the Premier League.
The Cherries find themselves in a precarious 16th position, 7 points above the relegation zone. With still 5 matches to go, Eddie Howe will be keen on avoiding further downslide in the table, especially by losing to someone below them in the standings. Bournemouth come into the game after a thorough 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur and are winless in April; something which they will be hoping to change on Saturday.
The biggest news coming out of the Bournemouth camp is that Arsenal loanee Jack Wilshere has broken his leg and as a result has been ruled out for the season. This comes as a setback for team and more so for the player, who was looking to resurrect his injury-blighted career.
Wilshere joins Callum Wilson, Andrew Surman and Adam Federici on the list of players who are ruled out for the season. Midfielder Dan Gosling, however, is expected to be ready soon enough as he recovers from his knee injury.
Here is how Bournemouth could take the field against Boro:
The Polish goalkeeper hasn’t had a great season so far and has made several mistakes. He will be hoping to finish the season strongly.
A constant fixture on the right-hand side of the defence, Adam Smith will once again take the field this Saturday.
The captain hasn’t looked the most assured in recent weeks. He will be itching to put in a strong display against the Teessiders.
One of Bournemouth’s most consistent players this season, Cook will be tasked with dealing the threat of Alvaro Negredo, who scored against Arsenal.
Completing the backline will be 30-year old Charlie Daniels. The Englishman has been an ever-present in the line-up and is one of the most important players for Howe and Bournemouth.
The 23-year old offers threat on the flanks with his pace and dribbling. He should start on the right-hand side of the midfield.
In the middle of the park, it will be seasoned campaigner Harry Arter. The 27-year old adds tenacity to the midfield for the Cherries, while also offering goal threat from midfield.
With Jack Wilshere out for the season and doubts over Dan Gosling’s availability as well, Arter will most likely be partnered by Lewis Cook. The 20-year old has made just 2 league appearances this season but could be set for some action in the coming weeks.
On the left-flank, 30-year old Marc Pugh is set to continue. The wide player has just scored one and assisted one in the league this term and will look to improve upon that.
At the top, Norwegian striker Josh King will be the man who Bournemouth will look up to for goals. The 25-year old has scored 13 times this season and will be hoping to add a few more before the end of the season.
Partnering King will be former Arsenal man Benik Afobe. The big man has failed to score regularly this season, but the Cherries will need him to fire in the final stages of the campaign.
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