Pre-Season Preview – Bournemouth

A.F.C Bournemouth will look to build on four consistent seasons in the top flight.

Last season was yet another example of this, with Eddie Howe’s team finishing a respectable 14th but gaining their second highest ever points tally in the top flight.

The attacking antics of Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson provided flair and excitement for fans at Dean Court, as they scored the most goals (56) outside of the top six.

Transfers

It’s been a busy window so far for Eddie Howe, recruiting five players for around the £50 million mark.

The most expensive of which came in the form of Arnaut Danjuma, a pacy forward man from Club Brugge who will look to challenge the likes of Fraser for a place in their starting eleven.

They also snapped up Huddersfield starlet Phillip Billing, who was the shining light in a dismal season for the Terriers in 2018/19. He cost the Cherries around £15 million, and will be deployed in the centre of midfield.

Lloyd Kelly and Jack Stacey could prove shrewd acquisitions for a combined £17m from Luton and Bristol City, and the Cherries have recently loaned in Welsh wizard Harry Wilson from Liverpool, who also starred in the lower leagues last year.

First Six

10th August – Sheffield United (H)

A favourable start at home to promoted newbies Sheffield United, I expect Bournemouth to get this one over the line. Both sides play good football and it will definitely be a good watch.

17th August – Aston Villa (A)

Another promoted side, this time in the form of returning top flight stalwarts Aston Villa. It will prove a tough test depending on how well the countless new signings gel for Dean Smith, but again Bournemouth should be slight favourites.

24th August – Manchester City (H)

Welcoming the champions to your backyard is never easy, especially for a Bournemouth side who play such expansive football. City have won every match against Bournemouth since their promotion in 2015.

31st August – Leicester (A)

A battle of two exciting and possession based young managers, Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester against Howe’s Cherries will be a terrific match-up. The game has potential to be 5-0 either way, a crazy score draw or a drab 0-0. Just what the Premier League is all about.

15th September – Everton (H)

Another tough test for the Cherries at the Vitality as big spending Everton come to town. I can see this one going to the wire in another high scoring fixture.

20th September – Southampton (A)

Their first south coast derby of the season, it will be interesting to see the development of Southampton under Hassenhuttl as they take on potentially direct rivals Bournemouth. These two should be quite equal this year and will intend to hunt down a finish in the top ten.

New Signing Harry Wilson excited for season ahead

“When Liverpool informed me it was a possibility to come here I was keen to get it sorted. I want to play Premier League football and with a great team like Bournemouth.

“With the style of play that Bournemouth are likely to play I feel that I can fit right in and help the team a lot.”

Targets

For Bournemouth the first expectation is to avoid relegation. Once that’s sorted, they can begin to look up the table, and a target this season may be to reach the 50 point mark for the first time, or finish in the top ten for the second time.

Expected starting XI

Travers,

Smith, Ake, Mepham, Daniels,

Fraser, Lerma, Billing, H Wilson,

C Wilson, King