Match preview: Bournemouth vs Spurs: my prediction, team news, lineups, etc. (oh, and some caped-crusaders to add spice to my report)
When Levy was looking for a new manager – and in his wisdom, he knew best (just look at his previous selections) – the fans chanted Pochettino’s name… We even heard about the Argentinian waiting by his Bat-phone in the hope that Commissioner Gordon (i.e. Levy) would ring… alas (for him), he didn’t, so he took the next step and engaged with our nemesis, while we got a true life Skippy the Bush-Kangaroo export (via Scotland), Ange Postecoglou. Who has, I might add, had a much better start than Chelski’s Argentinian flavour of the month.
[For those that are too young and don’t get the reference to “Batphones” and “Commissioner Gordon,” just move on… but for us oldies… especially for those that remember the 60s and, in particular, Batman and Robin adventures… Yes, remember those days when Adam West and Burt Ward donned tights to take on Jokers, Riddlers, Penguins, Cat-women and a whole host of colourful and nutty but nice people… those were the days… and on the football field, Spurs were winning doubles, FA Cups’, being the first club to win a European trophy, and where our politicians were politicians, not clowns doing impersonations of politicians. Men finally made it to the moon and back. Glory, Glory 1960s!] Moving on… before I get to misty-eyed…
Last year Chelski had a crap season, finishing lower than us, and our season wasn’t that brilliant. Nevertheless, a new chapter has opened up for both managers… and while we had a reasonably good start, Pochettino has faltered (one draw and one humiliation at the hands of the Spammers). I don’t usually smile when the Spammers win (unless it benefits us), but I jumped for joy (lovely woman) when they whipped the Russian Bears arse.
This weekend, we face Bournemouth while Pochettino’s Blues take on Luton at home… so, for the time being, enough of them and to the Cherries.
The Vitality Stadium is the venue as Bournemouth welcomes us to their South Coast headquarters for Saturday’s early Premier League kickoff.
The Vitality team fell to a 3-1 loss at Liverpool last week, while we picked up our first win as we beat United 2-0.
Match preview
We have now made the net ripple in 14 successive Premier League contests. However, we have both scored and conceded in our last seven road affairs, only winning once – against a relegated Leeds United side.
Ourselves and Bournemouth played out a pair of five-goal thrillers during the 2022-23 campaign, as Antonio Conte-led players came back to prevail 3-2 at the Vitality before the Cherries avenged that beating with an identical success at our stadium during Cristian Stellini’s nightmarish reign.
Bournemouth Premier League form:
DL
Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:
DW
Tottenham’s Team News
Our new midfielder is nursing an injury. James Maddison was seen on crutches following the win over Man United. He was reportedly sent for scans earlier this week. However, he told reporters last weekend that his sticks were only precautionary.
Bryan Gil (groin), Rodrigo Bentancur (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), and Alfie Whiteman (ankle) are all still recovering from operations.
Manor Solomon, Giovani Lo Celso and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will be on standby if Maddison cannot recover in time. Still, Postecoglou should avoid changing a winning formula if he can help it, as Pedro Porro could keep Emerson Royal at bay once more.
My possible starting lineup:
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Maddison, Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son
My prediction
Last week, I hesitantly predicted 3-2 but thought we would be lucky to get a draw. This week, I feel more confident. Therefore, I shall expect a 0-4 win. I say I expect… hope, more like it… but that is my prediction.
Why do I predict such a score line, well, fresh from a deserved success over Man United in which our full-backs and midfielders ran the show, we can equally dominate a leaky Bournemouth defence, although concerns over Maddison’s fitness is worrying. If that is the case, I hope Giovani Lo Celso will step up to the mark. As for Richarlson – the only seemingly weakest link – I hope that if he does play, he will improve on last week’s performance.
The Cherries are still capable of giving their fans something to crow about. Still, I am confident that Postecoglou should win this head-to-head.
My predictions for the rest of the Premier games.
I would love Luton to beat Chelski; however, I can’t see it, so I expect Pochettino to get his first win of the season.
I am hoping that Arsenic will slip up at home to Fulham. Wouldn’t that be nice!!!
Brighton beating United at Old Trafford, and I believe they could do it.
As for Sunday…
City should get an easy victory over newly promoted Sheffield United.
And how about a draw between Newcastle and Liverpool… and if there is going to be a winner, then, hopefully, it will be the Magpies.
That’s it… Up the Spurs!!
Glenn
