Bournemouth vs Fulham

High-flying Fulham looks to continue its climb up the Premier League ranks away to Bournemouth.

Bournemouth host Fulham at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday hoping to take another huge step towards Premier League safety.

Ollie Watkins leading the line always causes problems and midfield creators and wingers always seem to be ready to counter and cause a surprise. Villa are resolute defensively and have a clear playing style as they love to catch opponents out on the counter and they did that brilliantly in their 3-0 win against Bournemouth last time out. Yes, Chelsea are still a long way back when it comes to the top four but they are they kind of team who can go on a long unbeaten run and they certainly have so many options with a massive squad of players all pushing to start in this new fluid 3-4-3 system. The loss of Haaland is obviously a huge concern for City as he suffered a groin issue and did not play for Norway over the international break and returned to Manchester for treatment. However, they are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions and have reached the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. It has been a glorious sunny morning here, but the clouds are bubbling up just as the action is about to on the pitch at the Etihad. Very attacking lineup from Liverpool and they are pressing very high up the pitch. I was right in the line with that in the press box here at the Etihad and thought that was offside. Liverpool a real threat on the counter, while Man City have been a little clunky but are still carving out plenty of chances sans Haaland. They are still in the battle for European qualification as they sit in the top 10 and now they have to finish the campaign strong to keep positive vibes flowing. Poor defensive mistakes from Liverpool and Mahrez crosses for KDB to poke home. Fulham love to do that and this tactic could suit the Cherries in this game.

CHERRIES return to action after a two-week break this afternoon, welcoming Fulham to Vitality Stadium.

“And then also the big effort against Liverpool. “There’s a lot that needs to be done, even tactically and focus wise. The way he applies himself to everything. “So he has that break already and then he has an injury issue. “So he’s had a long spell without playing competitive football. Two months on, the 20-year-old is fit again and available to feature. I expect him to play a big part. “We need to monitor how they are and how well they can perform, but in general, the lads have had a real good little break and they know what is expected now in a real busy few weeks.” It’s good that we have so many options.” I would imagine centre-forwards look at things like that, who they’ve had success against in the past. He definitely will. There’s been some decent work done and he’s looking sharp.”

An awful lot has happened since Fulham were last in action in the Premier League. The Whites' third consecutive defeat – that saw them exit the FA Cup despite ...

Fulham will need to be at their best to offer a response following how things unravelled up at Old Trafford and avoid a third consecutive league reverse for the first time this term. Marcus Tavernier could make his return since injuring his foot whilst scoring a vital winner against Wolverhampton Wanderers in February, whilst Ukrainian centre back Illia Zabarynyi is in line for his debut having been sidelined with an ankle injury since signing from Dynamo Kyiv on transfer deadline day. They also possess one of the heartwarming stories of the season in David Brooks’ ongoing return to professional football with the winger’s substitute appearance against Aston Villa his first since September 2021 as he fought so gallantly against Hodgkin’s lymphoma. But Silva was right to warn yesterday that Bournemouth will be a tough nut to crack. Fulham played hardball with the charges that ensued and boxed clever in recent days. The positives of a classical away performance being served up so soon after two meek capitulations in London derbies were drastically outweight by the way Marco Silva’s side surrendered a hard-fought advantage so stupidly.

Gary O'Neil's side will target a result that propels them out of the Premier League drop zone this afternoon.

The woodwork is still shaking. However, with Bernd Leno beaten, the winger cannoned an effort off the underside of the crossbar and down onto the line. Clearly, the decision to put Dango Ouattara on Andreas Pereira centrally hasn't worked. Indeed, promising defender Illia Zabarnyi and creative ace Marcus Tavernier are in the matchday squad and may feature. So far, there is a huge gulf in quality in possession between these two sides. Replays showed the shot didn't drop in. The hosts have managed to release Dom Solanke or Dango Ouattara on a couple of occasions, but the quality in key areas has been lacking. Manor Solomon was released inside of Adam Smith on the right and pulled back for Andreas Pereira to stroke home. Antonee Robinson cracked a half-volley toward goal from the left-hand side of the area and struck the top of the crossbar. Fulham are finding the right angles and moving fluidly through the thirds as a result, the complete opposite to Bournemouth. The visitors worked the ball from channel to channel patiently, before a neat lob over the top found Andreas Pereira. Fulham are now beginning to get back on the ball, but the hosts look sharp on the counter-attack.

Andreas Pereira gave dominant Fulham a half-time lead but the Cherries turned it around.

The Cherries took a deserved lead 11 minutes from time courtesy of a scruffy strike from Solanke. Leno looked to have got enough distance on his punch away from a corner only for Tavernier to pick up the loose ball before cutting in from the right and curling an unstoppable left-footed shot into the top corner from 20 yards out. But the visitors were still comfortably the better team in the first half and took just 16 minutes to open the scoring.

Dominic Solanke bundled home a deserved late winner for Bournemouth, a goal that characterised his team's gritty determination to stay in the Premier League ...