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May 7, 2016 at 3pm UK
 
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Ritchie (82')
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Preview: Bournemouth vs. West Bromwich Albion

:Headline: Preview: Bournemouth vs. West Bromwich Albion: ID:272139: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Premier League match between Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion at the Vitality Stadium.

Now is the time to relax for Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion as they are both mathematically safe with two Premier League games left to play.

However, both are experiencing a poor run of form as Bournemouth have lost their last three games and the Baggies have not tasted victory since March 6.


Bournemouth

The fairytale of Leicester City's first top-flight title win in the club's 132-year history will overshadow what has been an impressive achievement from manager Eddie Howe and his Bournemouth team.

The Cherries earned promotion to the Premier League for the first time ever last summer and were swiftly tipped to drop back down into the Championship, but they proved doubters wrong.

Howe has introduced a style of play that is well suited to England's top flight, and despite losing Max Gradel, Tyrone Mings and Callum Wilson to serious injuries early in the campaign, they managed to weather the storm.

Mathematically, Bournemouth have only been safe from relegation for about a week, but for over a month they never really looked like they would be dragged into the dogfight.

The Cherries are currently 15th in the table, nine points off the bottom three with just two more games left to play.

They can afford to relax, but Howe will want to end his team's recent poor run, which has included three defeats on the trot - those losses were to Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton.

Since the turn of the year, Bournemouth have won six of their 17 Premier League games, and have scored 21 goals and conceded 29 in that time.

In addition, the south coast club have lost their last three home games at the Vitality Stadium, conceding 10 goals in those fixtures, but there is a positivity with regards to the scoring stats.

Bournemouth have netted nine league goals in the first 15 minutes of games - only Manchester City can match that tally this season.

Recent form: LLWLLL


West Bromwich Albion

Tony Pulis has secured safety yet again for West Brom and there could be good news on the horizon as he has admitted that he wants to extend his stay at The Hawthorns.

The 58-year-old, who has one year left remaining on his current deal, is due to hold talks with chairman Jeremy Peace about fresh terms when the season comes to a close.

The Baggies are level on points with this weekend's opponents Bournemouth and sit just one place above them.

That is not the only close connection between the two clubs - Pulis once played and managed the Cherries and still has a fondness for the town.

The Welshman has a lot of respect for Howe and his men, but like their opponents, West Brom will be determined to get a result given that they have struggled to pick up a win in the league.

In fact, since they claimed a 1-0 win over Manchester United on March 6, they have lost their last five top-flight fixtures and drawn two.

The defeats came against Norwich City, Manchester City, Watford, Arsenal and West Ham United, who took apart Pulis's side on their way to a 3-0 triumph last weekend.

Goals have been very hard to come by for West Brom this season as they have scored the second-fewest (32) in the Premier League - the only other club with a worse scoring record is relegated Aston Villa, who have netted just 27.

To put the figures into context, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur lead the way in the scoring charts having converted 68 and 67 goals respectively.

West Brom have a lot to put right in games against Bournemouth and Liverpool as they have failed to score in five of their last seven league fixtures and have managed to gain just one win in 13.

Recent form: DLLLDL


Team News

It was recently confirmed by Bournemouth that full-back Adam Smith will not be available for the team's final two games against West Brom and Manchester United because of a groin injury.

Another player on the treatment table is Sylvain Distin, who is unlikely to feature again before the campaign comes to a close due to a back injury.

The positive news for the Cherries is that Gradel could be handed a spot on the bench after he returned to training following a spell on the sidelines.

As for West Brom, Pulis could hand some of his youngsters a chance to perform at the Vitality Stadium, including Sam Field, Tyler Roberts and Jonathan Leko.

James Morrison has been out of action for a lengthy spell with a hamstring injury, but is challenging for a return ahead of Saturday's trip.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Boruc; Daniels, Elphick, Cook, Francis; Pugh, Arter, Surman, Ritchie; King, Wilson

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Foster; Evans, McAuley, Olsson, Dawson; Yacob, Fletcher; McClean, Sessegnon, Leko; Rondon


Head To Head

Bournemouth have the chance of earning a Premier League double over West Brom for the first time in the club's history having beaten them 2-1 at The Hawthorns in December.

The last time that these two sides met on the Cherries' home turf in the league, it was January 1993 and the Baggies won 1-0, which is their only away win against Bournemouth having drawn one and lost three.


We say: Bournemouth 2-1 West Bromwich Albion

With the knowledge that Bournemouth's Premier League safety is secured, there should be a buoyant atmosphere at the Vitality Stadium. It is the final home game for Howe and his players this season, so they will be determined to put on a show for their supporters. Both Bournemouth and West Brom are in poor form, but the south coast side have already proven this season that they can beat Pulis's team. Given that the Baggies have struggled to pick up points of late, they could well be staring at another defeat.



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