Bournemouth had a busy summer recruiting as many as seven players so far but the Cherries failed to start the season on a positive note. The Cherries were beaten 1-3 at the hands of Manchester United on the opening day and it was a lacklustre display from the South Coast side. Bournemouth finished lowly at 16th last season but were never really in the relegation battle. Eddie Howe will be looking to finish higher than his season did the last term and will give it all against West Ham on Sunday.
The two sides met each other twice in League last season and both games produced plenty of goals. The Cherries came out as 4-3 winners at Upton Park while West Ham won 3-1 at Dean Court. Both sides looking for their first three points this season, we can expect a cracker when the two collide with each other on Sunday.
Here is the predicted Bournemouth lineup against West Ham United.
Defence
Artur Boruc will start between the sticks ahead of Adam Federici. We can expect Eddie Howe to stick with the same back four that started against Manchester United. Bournemouth’ latest summer signing Marc Wilson is not fully fit while Tyrone Mings will also miss the game with an injury. Adam Smith, who scored a sensational goal against Manchester United last week, will start in the right-back position. Simon Francis and Steve Cook will start at the heart of the defence while Charlie Daniels will start in the left-back position.
Midfield
Andrew Surman, Bournemouth’s Player of the Year from last season, will start the game as the defensive midfielder. Harry Arter will keep his place in midfield and will operate in a box to box role. Alongside Arter, youngster Lewis Cook, signed from Leeds United this summer, will start in a three-man midfield. The Football League Young Player of the Year from last season did not have the best debut and will be looking to impress against the Hammers.
Attack
Jordon Ibe, Bournemouth’s big-money signing from Liverpool this summer, failed to make his immediate impact when he started against Manchester United. The 20-year-old fleet-footed winger will start on the right flank against West Ham on the right flank. Joshua King will start on the left flank. Callum Wilson, who destroyed West Ham on his own last season with an impressive hat-trick, will spearhead the attack for the South coast side.
