Thanks to improvements West Ham moved up to the 11th place in the table, while Bournemouth is positioned two places below and has just one point fewer. Let’s add that their recently played match in Bournemouth had ended without winner 3-3, while last year each team won at home.
In accordance to that it is quite logical that the Hammers’ fans expect a favourable outcome of the match, especially as their team has six-game unbeaten streak. The series started with drew with Bournemouth in the league, after which West Ham drew away with Tottenham, won West Bromwich at home 2-1 and Huddersfield away by even 4-1 in previous round.
After those five matches the difference between West Ham and teams positioned in the drop zone has increased to five points for the first time this season, so right now the Hammers can play in more relaxed atmosphere this match with the guests from Dorset. In the meantime the Hammers defeated third-division Schrewsbury and qualified for the fourth round of FA Cup. We need to add that due to injuries out of action are defenders Reid, Fonte and Byram, midfielder Fernandes, and forwards Antonio, Carroll, Sakho and Chicharito.
Probable lineups West Ham: Adrian – Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell – Zabaleta, Kouyate, Noble, Obiang, Masuaku – Lanzini – Arnautovic
We have said in the introduction that atmosphere in Bournemouth’s locker room is fairly good ahead of duel with West Ham, given two wins and two draws out of last four league matches. The positive series allowed Bournemouth to escape to four-point difference to teams in the drop zone. We need to single out here home victories by 2-1 over Everton and Arsenal, while in two draws with West Ham and Brighton they scored five goals in total.
In the meantime Bournemouth played two matches with second-division Wigan in the third round of FA Cup. After 2-2 from the 1st leg played at home, they lost last week the second match by 3-0 and in that way were eliminated from this competition. We should have in mind that coach Howe had sent on the pitch in that match practically the 2nd team, while now in the league we expect to see the same 11 players who faced Arsenal, especially as out of action are still injured defender Mings, midfielder Stanislas, and forwards Defoe and King.
Probable lineups Bournemouth: Begovic – Francis, S.Cook, Ake – A.Smith, L.Cook, Gosling, Daniels – Ibe, Fraser – Wilson
Given that both teams are in fairly good shape ahead of their duel and that both are positioned around mid-table it is then quite realistic to expect a fully open and efficient match in London on both sides.
Pick: both teams to score
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