Liverpool come back to the Premier League this weekend as they prepare to dispatch Bournemouth when the two teams face off at Dean Court. Liverpool will look to take in their good form of late as Bournemouth will consider turning up for the occasion as they frequently have under Eddie Howe’s able guidance this term.
Both teams do not have much to play for this season but Eddie Howe’s men will look to finish as high as possible in the league after having all but achieved safety in the Premier League this season.
Liverpool have little to fight for as they sit a huge way off the top four albeit with a game or two in hand against their competitors. They will sincerely look to finish the season strongly as they set the tone for a massive season ahead.
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel: Star Sports 2
Date and Time: 17th April 2016, 6:00 P.M. IST
Venue: Dean Court, Bournemouth
Live Stream: http://www.starsports.com/football/leagues/barclays-english-premier-league-100008/index.htmlBetting Odds: Bournemouth: 2/1 ; Draw: 5/2 ; Liverpool: 29/20 via Bet365
Team News
Bournemouth
Bournemouth will be without the service of Benik Afobe but will have fit again Callum Wilson ready to take on proceedings. He may however start from the bench as he has come back from a very long lay off and has hardly played since. Harry Arter may be out for the season again but Eddie Howe will be glad to welcome Junior Stanislas again after the player returned from injury.
Liverpool
Liverpool go to Dean Court without the services of their first choice midfielders in Jordan Henderson and Emre Can who may find it increasingly difficult to turn up this season owing to their respective injuries.
Joe Allen and a fit again Lucas Leiva or Kevin Stewart are set to deputize in their absence albeit with the possibility that Jurgen Klopp may see this as a good opportunity to have some of the younger members of the squad like Cameron Brannagan or Pedro Chirivella see some game time. Jurgen Klopp may rotate some of his squad either way considering the game in midweek and the schedule ahead
Probable Lineups
Bournemouth (4-1-4-1): Boruc; Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels; Gradel, Surman, Gosling, Ritchie; King; Grabban
Liverpool(4-3-3): Mignolet; Flannagan, Skrtel, Toure, Moreno; Lucas, Allen; Milner, Lallana, Ojo; Sturridge
Form
Bournemouth
Bournemouth haven’t been in bad form of late as they have won three and lost two of their last five games. The losses have come against the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspurs but the Cherries have boasted a fantastic goal scoring record throughout.
Last 5 Matches: W-W-L-L-W ( Last match: Aston Villa 1-2 Bournemouth)
Liverpool
After a game as incredible as the one Liverpool won midweek, recent form goes out the window. Liverpool move into the game with massive momentum on their side but having won only two of their last five games. They have drawn two and lost the remaining games in their five game form guide.
Last 5 Matches: L-D-D-W-W (Last Match: Liverpool 4-3 Borussia Bortmund)
Key Stats:
- Liverpool have won their last four games against Bournemouth in all competitions.
- There have been an average of 2.5 goals scored in Bournemouth’s last five games.
- Liverpool have scored at least 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 Premier League games.
- Bournemouth have lost only 2 of their last 7 Premier League games.
Key Battles:
Daniel Sturridge vs Steve Cook
Daniel Sturridge is clearly no longer a firm first choice under Jurgen Klopp. For many games now, Divock Origi has offered the English forward stiff competition for his starting spot. The one time that Sturridge did start the game (against Stoke) Origi came on at half time to completely change the complexion of the game and outshone his fellow attacker on the night.
The game at Bournemouth will be one which Daniel Sturridge would like to use to remind the whole world that he is still capable of being Liverpool’s main man and his injury troubles are all behind him.
On the night, he will lock horns with 24 year old Steve Cook who has been ever-present in Eddie Howe’s back line. The relatively young defender has had a fine season and will look to top it off with a stellar performance against one of the in form forward lines of the Premier League.
Sheyi Ojo vs Simon Francis
Young Sheyi Ojo will have thought his debut will have lasted longer than just 45 minutes against Stoke but for whatever reason it did. At Bournemouth, should Jurgen Klopp start him, Ojo may well get an opportunity to pick up where he left off the last game.
Once switched to the left hand side, Ojo wreaked havoc on the Stoke defensive line as he set up a goal for Daniel Sturridge, serving it onto a plate but before that he utterly destroyed the full back completely bamboozling him and beating him for pace. Ojo will look to continue to impress if handed the opportunity.
Up against him will be Simon Francis who has arguably been Bournemouth’s best defender this season. With a number of good games under his belt, he would love to top the season off with one against an in form Liverpool.
Prediction
Eddie Howe’s men have been absolutely sensational all season considering the menial changes they made to their squad in the summer. However with a couple of key players missing, Bournemouth may find Liverpool too much to handle.
Bournemouth 1-2 Liverpool
