Bournemouth will host Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday. Monday’s 6-0 demolition of the Blades by Arsenal put them on the wrong side of English football history. Earlier in the day, the Cherries defeated Burnley 2-0 to snap their barren run.
Preview (Bournemouth vs. Sheffield United)
A far cry from the goal-filled revival that Antonio Iraola guided towards the end of 2023. Bournemouth had tried and failed seven times to secure another Premier League victory. They smashing three past Fulham without reply on Boxing Day. But last Sunday, the Cherries finally secured their first top-flight victory of 2024 at Turf Moor. It was courtesy to another wasteful performance from Burnley. Justin Kluivert gave the visitors the lead just to halftime, and Antoine Semenyo sealed the victory in the 88th minute.
Following their heartbreaking FA Cup loss to Leicester City, who ironically profited from Bournemouth’s lack of creativity on that occasion, the Cherries responded admirably, climbing one spot into 13th place and now sit 11 points ahead of Luton Town in 18th place after playing the same number of games. If Bournemouth can avoid taking a shocking loss to Sheffield United, who play in the bottom division, then Iraola’s team will have a great chance to put together another winning streak that will boost morale. In fact, the Hatters will be Bournemouth’s last opponent before the March international break.
Iraola’s next task is to halt the Cherries’ three-match winless streak at Vitality Stadium. The team has gone undefeated against promoted teams for seven straight games since making a comeback to the big time in 2022. This comes after he eventually orchestrated a Premier League victory in 2024. Those Sheffield United fans who stayed may have dreaded a record-breaking double-figure thrashing against Arsenal, whose first-half flurry put them on course for the largest Premier League win in history, as hundreds of furious Sheffield United supporters took an early train home on Monday evening.
Team News
Despite losing Marcos Senesi to a hamstring injury with just 12 minutes remaining in the game last weekend, Bournemouth was able to contain an incompetent Burnley team. However, following the game, Iraola remained in the dark regarding the severity of the center-back’s injury. Chris Mepham should replace Ilya Zabarnyi at the back as Senesi has withdrew from the Argentina team. It indicating that he won’t be available for Iraola. Despite being sidelined by sickness during the victory over Burnley, Ryan Christie should be fit to play. Lloyd Kelly’s groyne injury might also resolve in time for the weekend. However, Tyler Adams (thigh), James Hill (ankle), Ryan Fredericks (calf), and Max Aarons (thigh) are still out.
The only bright spot for Sheffield United after their thumping at the hands of Arsenal may have been the fact that no more players had to visit the hospital; however, Wilder will undoubtedly be without at least nine men for the trip south. While Max Lowe (ankle), Ryan Norrington-Davies (thigh), Chris Basham (ankle), John Egan (ankle), Cameron Archer (calf), Anis Ben Slimane (thigh), Ryan Brewster (thigh), and Daniel Jebbison (illness) continue to recuperate, Mason Holgate will serve the third and final game of his suspension this weekend.
The experiment with Austin Trusty at left back on Monday night backfired on Wilder, as Saka used his old comrade mercilessly. Ben Osborn was substituted for Oliver Norwood in the 17th minute, and George Baldock and Ben Brereton Diaz might also be called back.
Bournemouth 3-0 Sheffield United
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