AFC Bournemouth vs West Ham United FC, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

AFC Bournemouth vs West Ham United FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Bournemouth have experienced a rollercoaster of a season, one that started with sacking Scott Parking and promoting Gary O’Neil into the top job.

They have skirted with danger throughout most of the campaign, although it now appears as though they could clinch safety off the back of a strong spell of results.

With back-to-back victories, and three from their last four, they have put some distance between themselves and the bottom three. Another win or two from their remaining seven would surely be enough.

West Ham are in a similar category, albeit having stuck with David Moyes through thick and thin. They remain in the latter stages of the Europa Conference League, which shows their quality.

Their league form has been a little harder to judge, of course, although they’ve looked a little better of late. A win and a draw has put the club back into a positive position.

The Hammers also have a game in hand over the Cherries, and two in hand over everyone else around them.

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AFC Bournemouth Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Lost just one of their last seven home games against Hammers

     Won five of their last nine – one more than in their first 22

Reasons to be fearful:

     Haven’t won three consecutive games since 2016

     Key defender Matias Vina is an injury concern

Bournemouth continue to prove their doubters wrong this season and Gary O’Neil will earn even more praise than he already has if they can stay in the division.

The Premier League is a daunting place for both newly promoted sides and first-time managers, so for Bournemouth to fit in both categories is quite an achievement.

There is still work to be done, of course. A string of defeats could send them spiralling down once more, although their record at home to the Hammers is strong over the years.

The Cherries are also accustomed to coming from behind in games, having done so on four occasions this season.

Star Man – Dominic Solanke

His home record isn’t the best, with just one goal scored from 36 attempts this season. His away record is better, but can he transfer that here at the Vitality Stadium?

West Ham United FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Won their last away game by beating Fulham 

     Claimed victory in each of their last four against promoted sides

Reasons to be fearful

     Only scored eight away goals this season

     Often start matches poorly

Unlike Bournemouth, West Ham have also had to juggle a demanding European schedule this season, with the club making it all the way to the Europa Conference League Semi Finals last week.

It shows that there is plenty of quality in this squad, even if their league form has surprisingly suffered this season, despite £150m worth of investment in the summer.

While their recent league record has been better, including an important draw against Arsenal, their away form is dreadful. They’ve only scored eight goals away from the London Stadium this season, the second lowest.

Can they change that here?

Star Man – Michail Antonio

Scored a brace in midweek and now needs to transform that into a domestic performance. He has 10 goals for this season, with he and Bowen starting to click at the right time.