Bournemouth will host Luton Town in the Premier League on Wednesday. The Premier League announced a few days later that the match would be replayed in its entirety. The game was stopped just after the hour mark, with the score tied at one.
Preview (Bournemouth vs. Luton Town)
When Lockyer was treated on the pitch for a heart collapse in mid-December and then the stadium was informed that play would be stopped, there was a somber atmosphere around the Vitality. Elijah Adebayo’s goal in the third minute had given Luton the lead. Moments before Lockyer collapsed, Dominic Solanke tied the score for the Cherries. That was the captain of Luton’s second scare of the season. The same thing happened to Lockyer in the Championship playoff final vs Coventry City.
With a victory, hosts Bournemouth can virtually assure their Premier League position ahead of this rescheduled match. With three more points, Antonio Iraola’s team would draw even with Fulham in 12th place with 35, 14 ahead of Luton in 18th. Even though Bournemouth were heavy favorites going into the match, they were behind 2-0 going into the last 15 minutes. However, after Dango Ouattara brought one back, Enes Unal’s first goal in English football stole a point in stoppage time.
Top scorer Solanke, however, had a terrible day. He slipped and mishandled the penalty kick. He the ball far over the crossbar, and had a goal disallowed for handball in the second half. Bournemouth has only won once in the league this year—away to Burnley last weekend. They still need to capitalize on three straight home games to ensure their survival. If they don’t secure the maximum number of points, they will surely go down. After Luton, Everton, and Crystal Palace travel to the South Coast, and in early April, Bournemouth takes on the Hatters once again at Kenilworth Road.
Team News
Defenders are currently concerned about all of Bournemouth’s injuries. Striker Solanke recovered from a persistent problem to start again at the weekend. Due to a hamstring injury, Marcos Senesi will miss Argentina’s international break, according to Iraola. Lloyd Kelly is still not ready to play again, therefore either Milos Kerkez or Ouattara will start at left-back.
Edwards is now missing as many as ten first-team players due to injury, making Luton’s list of injuries the longest of anyone’s. Lockyer, along with fellow defenders Amari’i Bell and Mads Andersen, is still out due to his collapse in the first game. On Saturday, Gabriel Osho made his comeback following a brief absence; however, Tenden Mengi was substituted midway through the second half and is questionable for this match.
Bournemouth 1-1 Luton Town
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