Good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League clash between Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur at the Vitality Stadium. Both of these sides come into this match in good form, and Tottenham in particular have the added incentive of knowing that victory would take them top of the table today, for a few hours at least. Bournemouth, though, could climb into the top half and even level with Manchester United, so they will be no pushovers here. Let's start, though, with a look at the team news...

BOURNEMOUTH STARTING XI: Boruc; Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels; Ibe, Arter, Surman, Wilshere, King; Wilson

BOURNEMOUTH SUBS: Federici, Mings, Ake, Gosling, Fraser, Gradel, Afobe

TOTTENHAM STARTING XI: Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose; Wanyama, Dembele, Lamela, Eriksen, Dele; Son

TOTTENHAM SUBS: Vorm, Trippier, Davies, Wimmer, Winks, Sissoko, Janssen

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, as far as the hosts are concerned, Eddie Howe has understandably kept changes to a minimum following their 6-1 rout of Hull City last time out, but the one switch of personnel is an interesting one. Junior Stanislas was the star of the show against the Tigers and has been in fine form of late, scoring three and assisting two more in his last three Premier League outings having gone nine without a goal or assist before that. There is no place in the matchday squad for him today, though, which must be down to a late injury or illness.

Josh King comes into the team in his place and he will start on the flank as a straight swap for Stanislas. On the opposite flank is Jordon Ibe, who has made a promising start to his Bournemouth career following his summer move from Liverpool. However, he could perhaps add a few more goals to his game, which is something Eddie Howe will no doubt be looking to work on as the winger matures. First-team football is key for him, though, and he is getting that at Bournemouth.

Jack Wilshere in another who is getting some all-important game time so far this season, and so far the Arsenal loanee has managed to avoid injury problems for Howe's side. Harry Arter was an injury doubt for the hosts, but the Ireland midfielder has recovered from the knee problem he sustained against Hull and starts in midfielder alongside Surman once again today. Up front, meanwhile, Callum Wilson leads the line once more having been on the scoresheet during the win over Hull last time out.

As Bournemouth showed against the Tigers, though, they have goals throughout their team, and particularly in defence. Cook and Daniels were both on the scoresheet in that match, and the latter has actually been directly involved in more goals than any other Premier League defender since the start of last season. Daniels has scored four times and assisted six more goals in that time, while on the opposite flank Smith has also weighed in with a few assists this term.

Spurs will need to be wary of those marauding full-backs, then, but they have some of their own too and Kyle Walker is one of the players to return to the side this afternoon having been rested against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek. On the other side of the defence, Danny Rose was a major doubt having picked up a knock to his foot in that match, but he also starts for Spurs this afternoon.

As he did in midweek, Eric Dier once again drops back into the heart of the defence rather than the defensive midfield role we were used to seeing him in last season, but it is a change that he is more than adept at making. He partners Jan Vertonghen due to the injury sustained by Toby Alderweireld against West Brom last week, and that means that the Belgian misses a Premier League game today for the first time since joining the club, bringing an end to a run of 46 consecutive outings.

In midfield, there is a return to the starting lineup for Mousa Dembele, who has suffered a very disrupted start to the season due to suspension and then injury. There is no doubting his quality, though, so Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping that he is now fully fit and ready to become a regular in the starting lineup once again. He plays alongside Wanyama in a holding midfielder role, which frees up Dele Alli to move further forward having scored the late equaliser against West Brom last time out.

Alli will be alongside Lamela and Eriksen in that attacking trio just behind the striker, and the latter has so far failed to hit the heights we expect of him this season. It is not through a lack of trying, with the Dane having had 24 shots on goal in the league already this term, but he is yet to find the back of the net with any of them. Dembele's inclusion in the team sees Janssen drop to the bench and Son moves further forward to lead the line this afternoon.

It is a good, well-balanced Tottenham side, and Eddie Howe will be in no doubt as to the challenge that his side face today. Last season he declared Spurs the best team Bournemouth faced in the Premier League after both meetings, and Pochettino's side are now more experienced and have another year playing with each other under their belts. However, Howe will also be confident that his side have improved since last season and the hosts should be fairly optimistic of coming away from this match with something.

The Cherries are unbeaten in their last three outings and have only lost one of their last six in the Premier League. That defeat was a heavy one, but it was also against league leaders Manchester City when they were flying, so it came as no real surprise. They have given themselves a good platform to build on for the rest of the campaign already, though, claiming 10 points from the last 15 on offer after only picking up one from the first nine.

As already mentioned, victory here today would take Bournemouth into the top half of the table and level on points with Manchester United - an indication of how far they have come during their relatively short time in the top flight. Indeed, while it is only their second ever season at this level, they may already be beginning to dream of a top-half finish, which considering the competition in the league this term would be a huge achievement.

There were certainly no signs of the dreaded second-season syndrome last time out as Bournemouth thrashed Hull City 6-1. It was a result that saw them score three first-half goals in a top-flight game for the very first time, and unsurprisingly it was their biggest win at this level by some distance too. It was also the first time that they have scored six goals in a home league game since February 2004, so they could hardly have come into this match off the back of a much better result.

That result also provided them with a new first of three consecutive home Premier League wins, and they could extend that run to an unprecedented four here today. They have a 100% record in front of their own fans since the opening-day defeat to Manchester United, and only Manchester City and Tottenham themselves can boast better home records than the Cherries so far this term.

A good marked of their improvement is the fact that it took Howe's side until January to reach three home wins last term, while their fourth didn't come until March. March was also the last time that they managed to win back-to-back Premier League games, and following up the Hull thrashing with a win over Spurs would certainly be a memorable pair of results.

The concern heading into today's game, though, is that Bournemouth's record against London teams is not good at all. The Cherries have won just one of their last nine top-flight games against teams from the capital, drawing two and losing six of those. That solitary win came on the road too, with Bournemouth having managed just one point from a possible 15 against London opposition here at the Vitality Stadium.

Spurs will certainly be looking to extend that record this afternoon, and the visitors will go into the game as favourites despite Bournemouth's good form. Tottenham are the only remaining unbeaten team in the Premier League this season having ended Manchester City's perfect start before the international break, and a victory here would take them top of the pile for a few hours at least. They currently sit one point behind Man City, who play on Sunday, and Arsenal, who take on Middlesbrough in a 3pm kickoff.

As was the case last season, Tottenham's success so far has been built on a sturdy defence. Pochettino's side have conceded just four goals from their eight matches this season, which is the best record in the league and second only to Atletico Madrid in Europe's major leagues. Spurs, along with Everton, are also the only teams yet to have conceded more than one goal in a single Premier League game this term.

The concern for Pochettino will come at the other end of the field, where they are the lowest scorers in the top five with 13 goals. It is by no means a dreadful tally, and it should be remembered that they have been without main striker Harry Kane for much of the season, but it is an area where they may need to improve if they are to challenge for the title seriously once again. Having said that, they have found the back of the net in each of their last 18 Premier League outings, so it's not like they are going through a drought.

Spurs are unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions and have lost just one of their 12 outings all season, with that coming against Monaco on matchday one of the Champions League. Aside from that, they have won seven and drawn four, although their last two outings have both ended all square after a run of five straight wins. In the Premier League, though, they have picked up 13 points from the last 15 on offer, which is second only to Arsenal in the form table.

Another win or draw today would see them go nine matches unbeaten at the start of a league season for only the fourth time in the club's history, and the first since 1990-91, when they began with a 10-game unbeaten streak. They also went nine games in 1959-60 and 1960-61, so it would be some achievement if they were to do so again. Pochettino may not be content with just a draw, though, knowing that would not be enough to take them top of the table.

That unbeaten start was a whisker away from ended last weekend, though, with Nacer Chadli almost coming back to haunt Spurs at The Hawthorns. He scored for West Brom with just eight minutes remaining, but Dele Alli rescued a point and saved their unbeaten record with an 89th-minute equaliser. Spurs certainly deserved something from the game, though, having forced Ben Foster into a string of good saves before falling behind. Pochettino will want to see more ruthlessness in front of goal today, though, particularly after having also drawn a blank against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek.

That goalless draw in Germany leaves Spurs second in their Champions League group behind Monaco, and it is all quite tight with regards to that at the moment. However, while many teams tend to struggle domestically after being in European action, Tottenham seem to thrive on it. They have won their last five league games which have directly followed a European fixture, the last of which was their 2-0 win over Manchester City.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes from kickoff at the Vitality Stadium, which means that it is time for a prediction! This is quite a tough one to call considering the form of both sides, but Spurs have been particularly impressive so far and have the carrot of going top with a win dangling in front of them. I would not be at all surprised to see this one end all square, but I'll just give the visitors the edge. 2-1 to Spurs!

This is only the third ever meeting between these two sides, and last season Tottenham were dominant against the Cherries on both occasions. They won 3-0 at White Hart Lane back in March, with Eriksen among those on the scoresheet, while in October of last year, almost exactly a year to the day, they thrashed Bournemouth 5-1 here at the Vitality Stadium.

Interestingly, both of those games saw a goal go in inside the opening minute, while across the two meetings there were three goals scored inside 10 minutes and six in the opening half an hour, so don't be surprised to see a quick start today either. Kane was responsible for five of Tottenham's eight goals over the two meetings, though, including a hat-trick here, so Bournemouth will be glad to see him not on the teamsheet today.

The other clash between the two teams came way back in February 1957, and it was a famous one for Bournemouth as they knocked the mighty Spurs out of the FA Cup in the fifth round. Bournemouth were then a third division side while Spurs, lead by the legendary Danny Blanchflower, were in the process of building the first ever double-winning side, but is was the Cherries who picked up a 3-1 win at home.

For Spurs, victory here is particularly important considering the fixtures that they have coming up. Bournemouth in this form will certainly not be easy, but on paper it is a kinder fixture than their next seven, which sees them face three big London rivals, two Champions League games, the reigning Premier League champions and Jurgen Klopp's free-scoring Liverpool side.

BOURNEMOUTH CHANGE: Bournemouth have made a late change to their starting lineup for this one, with Surman falling ill during the warm-up. He is replaced by Dan Gosling, while Lys Mousset comes onto the bench.

KICKOFF: Bournemouth get us underway at a sunny Vitality Stadium. There is a good atmosphere inside the ground today!

Boruc is called into an early save here having fluffed a clearance straight to Alli. Alli touches it into the path of Son, but he is offside as he draws a stop from the Bournemouth keeper.

Tottenham have made a good, quick start to this match. No goals in the opening minutes as there was in the two meetings last term, but Spurs have settled quickly and are knocking the ball around nicely.

OFF THE BAR! I said Bournemouth have goals from defence, and Daniels has so nearly just added another to his growing tally. Gosling squeezes a low pass into the box at the near post that Daniels pokes goalwards, but Lloris somehow manages to get something on it and turn it onto the crossbar. Spurs survived there!

Daniels will feel that he should have scored against his former club there, but that was a super stop from Lloris with his legs. It was poor defending from Tottenham as Bournemouth managed to get in from a short corner, but their keeper came to their rescue.

Rose gets away with one this time as he twice fails to control the ball. Arter is quickly on him and looks to have dispossessed him in a promising position for a counter-attack, but the referee saw a handball in there.

These are two teams who like to play quick, passing football, and the opening 10 minutes have showcased that. Both are looking keen to get the ball forward quickly and it is shaping up quite nicely this one.

Bournemouth are pressing Spurs really well in these early stages, and doing so high up the pitch too. The Cherries are more than holding their own at the moment.

Good work from King down the right as he turns his man and puts a cross in that Walker is forced to knock behind for a corner. Bournemouth play that corner short, though, and Spurs are able to deal with the danger.

Almost another chance for Spurs as Wilshere lifts an early ball over the top which Wilson races onto. He has no choice other than to go for goal with his left foot, but Vertonghen is across to make a good block.

OFF THE BAR! Both sides have hit the woodwork now! This would have been some goal from Lamela too! Alli skips past two players with back-to-back nutmegs before Lamela takes over and goes for goal from around 30 yards out. Boruc is a mere spectator as the ball kisses the woodwork on its way behind.

YELLOW CARD! Lamela follows that effort up with a silly challenge on Smith that earns him a place in the referee's book.

Bournemouth are not giving Spurs any time on the ball whatsoever. The visitors try to play out as Lloris gives the ball to Wanyama, whose loose touch immediately interests Arter. The Bournemouth man flies into the tackle, but gets the ball cleanly. Fantastic challenge.

Eddie Howe will be delighted with what he has seen from his side during the opening 20 minutes. They are going toe-to-toe with Tottenham and have probably been the better team. Off the ball they have been particularly impressive.

More really good pressing from the home side as they force Spurs into some dodgy touches and misplaced passes. Spurs just can't really get out right now.

Dembele can be so hard to shrug off the ball, but King has just made a really good challenge on the Tottenham midfielder before winning a free kick from him.

Tottenham make a rare foray into the Bournemouth box as Dembele powers forward from midfield before giving the ball out to Rose. The full-back's delivery is low and behind Son, though, and he is unable to poke it back to another white shirt.

SAVE! This is better from Tottenham now! Wanyama wins the ball back in an advanced position and Eriksen immediately takes control and goes for goal. His effort takes a deflection, and Boruc has to react quickly to turn it away at the near post.

Almost another chance for Tottenham as Vertonghen plays an inch-perfect diagonal ball in behind the defence for Son. The forward latches on to it, but went just half a yard early and the flag is raised.

Francis is a lucky man here! Walker whips a good ball into the box that the Bournemouth skipper tries to turn away at the back post. However, he gets it all wrong and ends up putting it towards his own goal, but Boruc is there to gather it.

Tottenham have improved over the last five minutes and are just beginning to gain a measure of control over the match now. They are seeing more of the ball in good areas, which in turn is relieving the pressure on their defence from the Bournemouth press.

YELLOW CARD! Vertonghen becomes the second player in the book today having taken down Wilson after the striker got in front of him.

Almost a chance for the visitors as the ball is cut back to Rose inside the penalty area, but he drags his shot and it is cleared before it can test the keeper.

YELLOW CARD! Alli also goes into the book for pulling back Smith after the Bournemouth defender had slipped the ball through his legs.

YELLOW CARD! Gosling is the first Bournemouth player in the book for a challenge on Walker, as much for the totting-up offence as anything else.

The card count is rising, but Craig Pawson is lenient here. Lamela, already on a yellow card, dives in and commits another foul. The fans want him off, but the referee sticks with just the free kick. Lamela is walking on thin ice now, though.

The tempo of the match has picked up again as we approach the end of the first half, and it really has been a good, even game so far. It's getting a little bit more feisty now, though.

YELLOW CARD! Another yellow card for Spurs, and again it is another fairly needless one. This time Rose goes diving in from behind on King and has no complaints at going into the book.

There will be a minimum of two minutes added time at the end of this lively first half.

CHANCE! Decent chance for Bournemouth at the end of the half as Wilson escapes his marker to get on the end of a cross from the right, but he has a lot to do with his header and can't test Lloris with the effort.

Another half chance for the striker as Ibe skips away from his man before playing a low pass into the middle. Wilson gets across Vertonghen well, but can only steer his effort wide.

The referee brings an end to the first half at the Vitality Stadium, and while there were no goals in the opening 45 minutes it was certainly a lively affair. Bournemouth have more than held their own and have pressed really well, but Spurs began to gain a measure of control over the game towards the end of the half.

Both sides hit the crossbar in that first half, and Bournemouth were the first to do so after just five minutes. Spurs fell asleep from a corner as Gosling was able to spin away and play a low ball into the box for Daniels. The defender poked it goalwards from close range, but Lloris made a brilliant reaction stop to turn the ball onto the crossbar with his legs. Daniels perhaps should have scored, but take nothing away from the save.

Bournemouth also needed the woodwork to come to their rescue 17 minutes in when Alli nutmegged two defenders in quick succession before letting Lamela take over. The winger let fly from range, but his curling effort clipped the angle with Boruc well beaten.

Despite this being a good game so far, clear chances have been few and far between aside from those two. Boruc has been forced into one smart save down low to his left following a deflected Eriksen drive, while Wilson sent one headed effort wide of the target in stoppage time of the first half. One of the main talking points of the first half is the number of yellow cards, though, with Spurs picking up four themselves. Lamela could well have been sent off too, but the referee was lenient on that occasion.

KICKOFF: Tottenham get us back underway for this second half as they look to grab the victory that would take them top of the table.

SAVE! Another good save from Boruc here as Alli finds space to have a go from range. His low drive skips up on its way through, but Boruc is down well to his left to turn it away.

Both sides have started this second half at a similar tempo to the first, but it remains to be seen whether Bournemouth in particular can keep that up.

Almost a chance for Spurs as Eriksen produces a delightful flick to send Lamela through on goal. However, Daniels reacts quickly and puts the Spurs man under pressure before Francis gets an important foot in.

CHANCE! Another sight of goal for Lamela as Wanyama picks up a loose ball just outside the area before slipping a pass to the Spurs winger. The angle is against him, but Lamela looks to power an effort in at the near post and drives his shot over the bar.

Spurs are looking more dangerous in this second half, seeing more of the ball inside Bournemouth territory and forcing the hosts into a few last-ditch blocks and challenges. The pressure is building from the visitors.

Bournemouth's pressing and energy has died down a little in this second half, which is understandable considering how much they put into the first half. With Gosling being a late inclusion, Wilshere not used to playing 90 minutes and Arter an injury doubt heading into this match, they could well tire in midfield as the seconds tick by.

Bournemouth are the team who can't get out of their own half right now. Boruc is by no means being peppered with shots, but there is growing pressure from Tottenham.

BOURNEMOUTH SUB: The first change of the match comes from the home side as Max Gradel replaces Ibe.

TOTTENHAM SUB: Spurs respond with a change of their own as Vincent Janssen comes on in place of Son.

Half a sight of goal for Walker as a corner goes all the way through to him on the edge of the box, but he scuffs a tame effort comfortably wide.

SAVE! Tottenham win a free kick in a good crossing position on the right, but Lamela instead tries to whip it in towards goal. It is a decent enough effort, but it flies straight into the arms of Boruc.

Bournemouth are admirably still looking to get the ball forward quickly in order to utilise Wilson's pace, but they may be well served just keeping possession for a while. It would give them a rest and halt the momentum that is growing in Tottenham's favour.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the second half is shown to Max Gradel - the second Bournemouth player in the book and the sixth overall.

Arter was a doubt for this match, but Howe will be delighted that he was passed fit. The midfielder has provided so much energy in the middle of the park and his tackling in particular has been brilliant. He has taken a few risks, going to ground with almost every challenge, but each time he has got the ball.

Just as I say that, Arter goes into a full-blooded challenge on Wanyama. He gets the ball, but follows through and catches Wanyama midway up his shin. That could have been a bad one, but thankfully Wanyama is OK.

TOTTENHAM SUB: Spurs make another change here as Moussa Sissoko replaces Alli.

Bournemouth are starting to see more of the ball now, and suddenly it is an even game once again. Spurs have been on top for the majority of this second half, but Bournemouth have done a good job of preventing them from creating any really clear chances.

CHANCE! Decent chance for the visitors as Janssen holds the ball up before combining with Lamela to find Sissoko. The sub pulls a low ball back into the middle that Rose meets, but he doesn't catch his effort well and Boruc gets down to make the save.

Just over 10 minutes left in this match, and a draw is probably a fair result as things stand. Bournemouth probably just about edged the first half, but this second half has seen Tottenham gain a measure of control.

It's all kicking off here as Arter goes down clutching his face after a clash with Sissoko...

The referee again opts for leniency and neither player gets a card. The replay shows that Sissoko did catch Arter with an elbow while trying to get the ball for a quick throw. Sissoko is quite lucky to get away without a card there.

BOURNEMOUTH SUB: Another change for the home side here as Wilson is replaced by Benik Afobe for the closing stages of this match.

Two magnificent pieces of defending from Tottenham! The ball almost breaks for two Bournemouth players in quick succession, but first Wanyama makes a last-ditch challenge to poke the ball away before Vertonghen makes an even battle tackle in the area.

Tottenham have just five minutes left to get the goal that would take them top of the table, but any defeat now would be so harsh on Bournemouth. It has been a full-blooded affair from start to finish.

BOURNEMOUTH SUB: The hosts make their third and final change as King limps off to be replaced by Ryan Fraser.

What that sub also means is that Jack Wilshere will complete 90 minutes of football in the Premier League for the first time in almost two years.

Fantastic block from Smith as he dives in front of Lamela to make a last-ditch challenge after good build-up play. At the other end Gradel nips in following a defensive mix-up, but Dembele gets back well to turn it behind for a corner.

CLOSE! It is Bournemouth who are pushing for the winner here! Francis turns away from Janssen before whipping a devilish ball into the box that Afobe steers just over with his head.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match.

It finishes goalless at the Vitality Stadium, then, but that only tells half the story of the game. It was a thoroughly entertaining 0-0 draw between two sides who put everything into the match. It was a full-blooded affair that saw both sides hit the woodwork, and it also acts as a good sign of how much Bournemouth have improved since their 5-1 defeat to the same opposition almost exactly a year ago.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you for joining Sports Mole for today's early kickoff as Tottenham miss the chance to move top having been held to a stalemate by Bournemouth. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too. The 3pm kickoffs get underway in half an hour, so stick around for coverage of them too! From me, though, it is goodbye for now!