Tottenham host Bournemouth in a mid-table clash

After what seems a swap in form, both Tottenham and Bournemouth meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as they look to improve on their average league standings.

The last time Spurs and the Cherries met was last season and it ended in a 1-0 win for latter with the three points being nicked in stoppage time thanks to a Nathan Ake header.

Despite having poor enough form to sack Mauricio Pochettino, Spurs have only lost one of their last six matches with that being a 2-1 loss to table-toppers Liverpool since then though they have drawn 1-1 with both Everton and Sheffield United while also beating Red Star Belgrade 4-0 in Serbia.

Since their new boss, Jose Mourinho has come in, they have won 3-2 away to West Ham and 4-2 when hosting Olympiacos in the Champions League.

Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth have lost their last two matches with those both ending in 2-1 losses to Wolves and Newcastle. But prior to that they did beat Manchester United 1-0.

Mourinho has never lost to Howe in the five matches they’ve competed in with the first being on 13th August 2016. Then manager of United, the Portuguese boss won 3-1 with there being only one occasion back in March 2017 that the Cherries boss has drawn with his counterpart.

Team News:

The same four that missed Spurs last game will be ruled out for this match, those being Hugo Lloris (arm); Erik Lamela (thigh); Michel Vorm (calf) and Ben Davies (ankle). This means that Mourinho will have the same squad that he had available for the Olympiacos match.

Travelling side Bournemouth have some good news. As many as three players could return to the fray for their trip to London- those being Andrew Surman, Lloyd Kelly and Dominic Solanke. not all news is good though for the south coast side after Simon Francis is suspended due to his two yellows last weekend against Wolves.

Midfielder Philip Billing is out of the trip to London due to picking up five yellows while this match will come too soon for Norway forward Joshua King (thigh) and midfielder David Brooks (ankle) with both still a match or two away. Both Charlie Daniels and Junior Stanislas remain ruled out with a knee injury.

Spurs boss Mourinho spoke about the club’s summer signings and whether they are in his plans:

“I know them very, very well. It is not like I don’t know them, I know the qualities I have, I know why the club bought them, I know what the club saw in them. I think good buys.

“I think good decisions and of course they will play with me. I always think that people who come from abroad, from different leagues need more time to adapt to the Premier League, but great potential and I am more than happy to have them.”

Cherries boss Howe hopes his side can be better than their last season’s trip to London:

“The away game at Spurs last year we started so well and should have scored.

“Whereas the home game we found it tough to break them down and the goal came late. “We need to step up to the plate on Saturday and perform. Now, we’re fighting to try and create new memories and that’s the message to my players.”

Head to Head

Tottenham wins – 6

Draws – 1

AFC Bournemouth wins– 2

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