Afternoon ladies and gents! Two of the Premier League's slow starters meet at the Vitality Stadium this afternoon, but the table can quickly change at this early stage. Let's get straight to the team news...

BOURNEMOUTH: Begovic; Smith, Francis, Ake, Daniels; Stanislas, Surman, Cook, Pugh; King, Defoe
Subs: Boruc, Francis, Gosling, Ibe, Fraser, Mousset, Afobe

LEICESTER: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Fuchs; Albrighton, Ndidi, King, Gray; Okazaki, Vardy
Subs: Hamer, Chilwell, Amartey, Iborra, Mahrez, Slimani, Ihenacho

Two changes for the Cherries from last Saturday's defeat at Everton, with a knock to Dan Gosling, who still makes the bench, giving Lewis Cook a first league appearance of the season in midfield. Marc Pugh, who has a good scoring record against Leicester, is preferred to Jordon Ibe on the wing.

Callum Wilson, Tyrone Mings and Harry Arter are all missing for the hosts through injury, although Gosling has been deemed fit enough to take his place on the bench, alongside the dropped Ibe.

Josh King, who got off the mark for the season at Goodison Park, will play just behind Jermain Defoe in a front two which combined for 31 goals last term. King got 16 for Bournemouth while Defoe managed 15 for relegated Sunderland, but the Cherries have not found their shooting boots as of yet.

As expected, Jamie Vardy starts for Leicester despite carrying a hip injury which has ruled him out of Gareth Southgate's England's squad for the upcoming fixtures against Slovenia and Lithuania. Vardy scored and missed a penalty last weekend as Leicester fell just short against Liverpool.

Demarai Gray, who was the subject of a summer offer from Bournemouth, makes his first Premier League start of the season in place of Riyad Mahrez, in one of two changes from the 3-2 defeat to Liverpool. Elsewhere, the experience of Christian Fuchs is preferred to the youthfulness of Ben Chilwell at left-back.

Almost 10 years to the day since making his debut for Leicester in League One, Andy King starts in central midfield, but Matty James and Robert Huth are still injury absentees for Craig Shakespeare.

Although not a surprise given Southgate's comments this week, it is interesting to see that Vardy has been allowed to prioritise a Leicester match over England duty while managing this hip problem. But the Three Lions boss has insisted he supports the striker's decision to take some time off.

"He'd run through brick walls for us, no question, and his mentality is top drawer," Southgate told reporters.

"Whatever the perception, it's not the reality. I have a responsibility to every player and I've never asked a player to play with an injury that I thought needed sorting."

RESULT: It has been a good start to the weekend for fantasy football managers around the country, with Harry Kane scoring twice in Tottenham's 4-0 rout of Huddersfield. Ben Davies also got on the scoresheet in the first half, and there was even a goal for Moussa Sissoko in stoppage time!

Back to matters at the Vitality Stadium, where Cherries fans have watched their side make their worst start to Premier League life. In their previous two campaigns, they had collected seven points from their opening six games, whereas this time around they have only three courtesy of that single victory over Brighton.

In fact, this is the club's poorest start to a season since 2011-12, when they lost seven of their opening eight games in League One. That statistic is a reminder of just how far they have come in recent years and helps put Bournemouth's current slide in perspective.

Perspective is something that seems to be absent from modern football, but it is refreshing to see that, even in these shaky times there are no whispers over Howe's future - remember we have already seen Frank de Boer sacked by Crystal Palace.

Howe is the second-longest serving manager in the Premier League at four years and 11 months, behind Arsene Wenger of course.

Outside of the walls of the Vitality Stadium at least, there appears to be a little more concern over Bournemouth's state. They have come in to odds of 2-1 to be relegated this season, having been 13-2 before the start of the season.

It is very early days, but victory today could lift the Cherries out of the bottom three, at Leicester's expense.

Having taken the lead through Josh King's goal only to go on to lose the game following Oumar Niasse's brace, last weekend's defeat to Everton was a repeat of an alarming pattern for Bournemouth. They have now lost 28 points from winning positions since the start of last season - more than any other Premier League side - and must learn to defend leads better.

Regardless of that statistic, scoring the first goal remains crucial for Bournemouth today. Should they concede first, it would lend to Leicester's counter-attacking style and Vardy and company could pick this leaky defence off at will.

Since a 1-0 win over Leicester last December, they have only kept two clean sheets in 14 home league games. New signings Nathan Ake and Asmir Begovic are yet to make a difference and, with the goals also having dried up, it isn't much of a surprise that Bournemouth are 19th in the standings.

Mind you, Leicester aren't faring much better. Like Bournemouth, City's only victory so far this term has come at home to Brighton. They have lost four of their first six matches, and defeat this afternoon would represent their worst points return after seven matches of a top-flight season.

Across the last two seasons, Leicester have actually lost six games out of nine, although all of those defeats have come against the top six from the final 2016-17 table. In fairness, the Foxes have really pushed Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea for the points this season - losing only by one goal on each occasion - it was only Manchester United at Old Trafford who brushed them aside.

Craig Shakespeare will be relieved to see some respite with the upcoming fixtures and will view each of their next five as very winnable. Everton, Stoke and West Brom visit the King Power, with Swansea their other away trip after today.

The Foxes boss is still holding back on starting Kelechi Ihenacho. The 20-year-old was allowed to leave Manchester City because of their goalscoring riches and should be a real asset to Leicester now that he seems to have shaken off his niggles.

Ihenacho averaged a goal every 106 minutes in the Premier League for Man City, proving that he is a very sharp finisher with a very bright future, but he must dislodge Shinji Okazai from the team first.

Apart from Harry Maguire, who has started all six games at centre-back, Leicester's summer signings have barely featured so far. Neither Vicente Iborroa, an experienced midfielder bought from Sevilla, or Aleksander Dragovic, a defender with European and international pedigree, have made their Premier League debuts yet, and Ihenacho has largely been used from the bench.

Another player who won't be happy with his lack of minutes is Demarai Gray, who reportedly wanted to join Bournemouth in the summer to get more action. While Leicester refused to let him go, they've given him only a combined 132 minutes in six substitute appearances in the league this season, but today he has an opportunity to make an impression.

Just over 10 minutes until kickoff on the South Coast. Three important points up for grabs for both teams as neither will want to be in the relegation zone when the international break comes.

HEAD TO HEAD: Three of the four Premier League meetings between these two sides have been drawn. Bournemouth hold the only top-flight victory in this fixture, in the corresponding match last term when Marc Pugh netted the only goal of the game for the Cherries.

Pugh, as well as Jamie Vardy, also scored when these two sides met in the Championship four years ago. It is remarkable to think what has happened since then; with Bournemouth's ascent up the Football League being completed, and Leicester's fairytale title win and Champions League run.

Leicester supporters making the long trip for this one hoping for a goal fest should not be deterred too much by the fact that their last five encounters with Bournemouth have yielded just six goals.

The Foxes are the highest scorers in the division outside of the top five, and we have already discussed the defensive difficulties the home side are having.

Penny for Riyad Mahrez's thoughts? The Algerian spent transfer deadline day flying around Europe trying to force a move away from Leicester, and now he can't even get into the Foxes team...

PREDICTION: These two teams have enjoyed underwhelming starts and I fancy the two managers are going to send them out flying today in a desperate bid for three points. I expect it to be nicked 2-1 by....ermmmmm, Leicester. No, Bournemouth. No, Leicester. Yes, Leicester.

KICKOFF: Bournemouth get us underway, with the two sides in their traditional kits...

WOODWORK! Nearly an early goal for Bournemouth as Defoe strikes the crossbar from King's low cross towards the near post. Pugh pokes the rebound goalwards and it deflects off Simpson into the side-netting. Pugh appeals for handball and it did appear as though he had a shout.

CHANCE! Defoe has another great chance as Cook releases him through the middle with an outstanding pass on the volley. Morgan races back to block a shot from the veteran striker, and Pugh screws the follow-up shot wide again. Bournemouth have been electric in the early stages.

King and Defoe are proving to be an absolute handful for Leicester in this opening 10 minutes. The former Manchester United forward breaks into the right edge of the area and Maguire has to intervene to prevent his cross reaching his strike partner.

Daniels and Pugh exchange an tidy one-two midway into the Leicester half and the left-back then switches the play to Junior Stanislas. The winger cuts inside but his left-footed shot floats over the crossbar, and never looked convincing.

Bournemouth MUST capitalise on this excellent start by getting on the scoreboard. If they keep coming forward, but failing to take their chances, Leicester could always hit them with a sucker-punch. We know how dangerous the Foxes can be on the break.

More good play from the hosts. King has space on the edge of the box, but decides to shift it right to Stanislas. His low cross is into a good area, and a panicking Maguire has to had the ball clear.

Leicester are just about weathering this Bournemouth storm. Maguire, who had clumsily brought King to ground in the box in the previous attack, heads a Stanislas set piece clear, and Kasper Schmeichel is out to collect the second phase from Pugh.

Josh King spins away from his namesake Andy on the halfway line and only some proactive thinking from Fuchs prevents Bournemouth breaking into the area again. King looks in the mood, while at the other end Vardy has not seen any of the ball.

UPDATE: A couple of goals elsewhere in the Premier League already this afternoon. Juan Mata gave Manchester United a third-minute lead over Crystal Palace, while West Brom are ahead against Watford thanks to Salomon Rondon.

Fuchs attempts to release Vardy, but Francis comes across to thwart the danger.

Lovely play from Pugh with the winger travelling with the ball and then picking out King with a precise cutback. However, the Norwegian completely scuffs his left-footed shot wide.

All that has been missing so far from Bournemouth's performance is a goal. The only thing that Leicester have to cling on to is that they aren't behind, and they are starting to see a little more of the ball.

Typically tireless work from Okazaki in the corner as he chases down Francis. The Japanese forward blocks the clearance and is then hauled to the ground, but surprisingly no free kick is given.

Daniels drops a delightful ball to the back post but it evades King and Defoe in the box. One thing that this Bournemouth team is missing is a midfield runner, someone to get into the box in support of the front two. Cook and Surman are sitting pretty deep at the moment, protecting the counter.

King is continuing to find pockets in between the Leicester defence and midfield and Leicester can do little to slow him down but foul him - Maguire and Ndidi have both been guilty parties in the last five minutes.

Bournemouth's top scorer from last season has displayed every ounce of his pace and power, but King has yet to demonstrate that his game also has finesse. He tries to exchange a one-two with Pugh, when the return ball would have played the winger in on goal, but is badly overhit.

Albrighton attempts an early cross to Vardy, but Francis is there to cut it out. What he and Nathan Ake have had to do so far, they have done it simply but effectively, with no chances taken.

Lewis Cook is doing his chances of more regular football no harm with his display so far. The youngster has looked very comfortable on the ball and certainly has an eye for a pass.

Danny Simpson looks thoroughly unimpressed as a Bournemouth fan feigns a number of times to give him the ball back when the Leicester defender went to collect it from the crowd. Then again, his miserable expression could be something to do with Leicester's performance so far.

King pops up on the left this time and drives into the box, but again the final ball is lacking which is a real shame as Surman had made a rare venture into the Leicester box and was in a great position.

Eddie Howe will be thrilled by what he has seen from his time, but also disappointed that they have not made it count on the board. The Cherries have only managed four goals this season, and finding the net has never previously been a problem for them since their promotion to the top flight.

CHANCE! Pugh blazes over the crossbar on his weaker left foot from 15 yards, after more good build-up play from Bournemouth. Cook plays a delicate ball around the corner for King, whose cross is blocked by Morgan into the path of Pugh but there was no composure to the finish.

It appears for a moment as though Vardy might be away on the break, but Daniels makes up ground on the recovery and, between him and Francis, they stop the England striker in his tracks.

Bournemouth have been excellent and will wonder how they are not two or three up by the break. Their build-up play has been fast, incisive and cut Leicester apart; it has only been the end product which has been lacking. Leicester have been very poor and must improve after the interval.

The star man for the Cherries has been Josh King, who has thrived in the free role given to him by Eddie Howe. The forward has popped up in the pockets and out wide on both flanks, and Leicester have not been able to contain his pace and power.

STATS: The first-half numbers tell the story of this game so far pretty accurately, with Bournemouth enjoying 63% possession but failing to hit the target with any of their seven shots on target. Jermain Defoe came closest with his shot off the crossbar in only the second minute.

LATEST SCORES: No goals here, but there have been two at Old Trafford, where Man United lead rock-bottom Crystal Palace 2-0, and three at The Hawthorns to help West Brom into a 2-1 advantage over Watford. Elsewhere, Stoke are 1-0 up versus Southampton, and West Ham and Swansea remain level.

BENCH WATCH: Eddie Howe won't be rushing into making any changes, but Craig Shakespeare might shuffle his pack quickly after that first half. Demarai Gray has been quiet and could find his first Premier League start of the season cut short by Riyad Mahrez.

An extra body in the middle of the park would be useful for the Foxes and I wonder if now is the time to introduce Vicente Iborra.

So far, history is trumping mystery when it comes to the scoreline, with my prediction of 2-1 Leicester looking a long way off, and instead this match poised to be another low-scoring affair. This fixture has witnessed only five goals in its last four editions.

KICKOFF: The action has resumed and there has been a change from Shakespeare, who has brought on Iborra in place of Andy King. So, still 4-4-2, but perhaps a bit of an extra physical presence, as well as composure, in the middle of the park.

Daniels is a constant outlet for the Cherrie and here bursts down the left, skipping past two Leicester players before crossing into a third blue shirt.

Iborra's first contribution is to lose the ball in his own half, dallying on the ball as if he had all the time in the world. However, the veteran midfielder makes amends by making a sliding interception at the near post to turn behind Pugh's cross.

Good work from Defoe in the left channel as he turns inside his man and tees up King on the edge of the box. The shot from the Norwegian is very weak and Schmeichel gathers with ease.

Morgan's headed clearance falls to Stanislas on the edge of the box, but his first touch is not sharp enough to set up a shooting opportunity.

Feint appeals for handball against Simpson from Bournemouth but Leicester get away with another one. On another day they could easily have had a couple of penalties and had this game wrapped up.

SAVE: King's layoff is awry but Smith quickly picks up the loose ball and tees up Stanislas himself. A low shot forces Schmeichel into a good diving stop, low to his right.

The hosts have Leicester camped in here and are committing more and more men forward. That does leave them vulnerable though, and I fear for them because a Foxes goal on the break, although it doesn't look likely, would be completely unjust.

CHANCE! That was the Leicester chance that could have been a real sucker-punch for Bournemouth. Albrighton's long ball hits the back of Vardy and drops to Okazaki, who rolls a shot wide from 10 yards out.

Pugh takes aim from range and catches his shot nicely, but it was always drifting a few yards wide of the target. Jordon Ibe and Ryan Fraser remain unmoved on Howe's bench, and I wonder how long it will be until the Bournemouth manager makes a change.

Leicester are having their best spell of the game, keeping the ball slightly better and getting a bit of joy through Fuchs down the left, although his latest cross is a simple claim for Begovic.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Both managers turn to their benches for the first time, with Ibe replacing Pugh for Bournemouth and Ihenacho on for Okazaki for Leicester. The Nigerian scored plenty off the bench for Manchester City and Leicester will be hoping for more of the same this afternoon.

Ibe pulls the ball back to Cook, whose side-footed shot may have been destined for the bottom corner when Defoe intervened with an attempted flick which flew way over the top of the goal.

CLOSE! Surman comes within inches of finally breaking the deadlock for Bournemouth, whipping his boot around a left-footed shot which drops just over the frame of the goal.

SUBSTITUTION: Shakespeare plays his trump card by calling upon Mahrez in place of Albrighton - an attacking move to say that his side have been so comprehensively second best and would be lucky to escape with a draw.

Ibe makes a clever overlapping run down the left which creates room for Stanislas to cut inside and shoot at Schmeichel. It was from a tight angle though and the Dane palms away without much incident.

SHOT! It would be so cruel on Bournemouth if the Foxes pinch this, but they come close here with Gray cutting in from the left flank and striking a sweet shot which Begovic tips over the crossbar.

SUBSTITUTION: Benik Afobe comes on to replace Jermain Defoe for the final 10 minutes. The former Wolves striker has not scored in his last nine games - now would be a great time to end that run.

Begovic punches a corner away and the ball falls nicely to Mahrez on the edge of the box, and the Algerian sets himself up for a volley that is blocked by the charging Bournemouth defence.

Surman tries to curl a shot into the bottom corner, but Schmeichel is on hand to save comfortably. At this stage, both teams look just as likely to score - the first time that has been the case today.

Gray has space to run into down the left and has Vardy and Ihenacho to aim for in the box. His cross is into a decent area, but Nathan Ake cuts it out with an authoritative clearance into the stands.

SUBSTITUTION: Last throw of the dice from Howe as he swaps Stanislas for Ryan Fraser.

There will be FOUR minutes of added time; is that enough for some late drama? This game has been better than a 0-0, but then only a goal at one end would give the result a fair reflection.

Fraser wins Bournemouth a corner but the delivery is straight to the near post where Iborra is on hand to make the clearing header. One thing that Leicester have done well is defend set pieces.

Brilliant from Mahrez as his step-over and change of pace leaves Daniels on the floor, and his cross is towards Ihenacho at the near post, but the substitute is crowded out by three Bournemouth defenders.

So unlucky for Bournemouth, who dominated this match from start to finish but have to settle for a point. Eddie Howe should be proud of his players, but the Cherries must find their shooting boots as that is now only four goals in seven Premier League games this season.

Leicester got away with one there, because that performance was not what we have come to expect from them. They were very poor on the ball for the majority of the game and had to ride their luck throughout, with Defoe hitting the crossbar and several penalty shouts being turned down.

Thanks for joining me for coverage from the Vitality Stadium, from where you can read our match report on the action. For full coverage of today's football results, click here, and please stay with Sports Mole for coverage from the big one at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea host Manchester City.