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Recommended bets
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Match preview
Last weekend looked set to be one of the most memorable in AFC Bournemouth’s history but, in stead, it saw them sink to the bottom of the table.
The Cherries were facing league-leaders Arsenal, and stunned everybody by taking the lead after just nine seconds, the second-fastest goal in Premier League history, swept home by Philip Billing.
The Emirates was then stunned into silence when Bournemouth doubled their lead, with Marcos Senesi heading home a corner on the hour mark.
However, Arsenal staged a monumental comeback, quickly getting it back to 2-2, before snatching all three points with the last kick of the afternoon, coming in the 98th minute.
So, heartbreak for Gary O’Neil’s men who are now bottom of the table, having taken just five points from their ten post-World Cup fixtures.
On the other hand, the Cherries are just a point from safety, and have proven that they are capable of competing with the top team in this division.
The Reds demolished fierce rivals Manchester United 7-0, scoring six times in a simply ridiculous second half at Anfield.
Cody Gakpo, Darwin Núñez and Mohammed Salah all bagged braces, before Roberto Firmino came off the bench to cap off a victory that’ll go down in football folk-law.
It is Liverpool’s biggest-ever win over Man United, and just the fifth time they’ve won by 7+ goals in a top-flight match.
Of course another of those came earlier this season, with Jürgen Klopp’s team hammering Bournemouth 9-0 in August.
In fact, the Reds have won their last seven meetings with the Cherries, scoring 28 goals and conceding just once in this period.
As Liverpool chase down Tottenham in fourth place, will that streak continue at Dean Court?
Bournemouth team news
Winger Hamed Junior Traorè and defensive midfielder Jefferson Lerma both missed the trip to Arsenal injured, and it’s unknown if either will be back for this one.
Gary O’Neil has favoured a back four since taking over after the 9-0 in August, but has switched to a back five for their last two games, coming against the top two.
Last Saturday, Dominic Solanke and Dango Ouattara were both very dangerous on the counter-attack; the former will be uber-motivated against his former club.
Lewis Cook, who came off the bench at the Emirates, could replace Joe Rothwell in midfield.
Predicted XI (5-4-1): Neto; Smith, Mepham, Stephens, Senesi, Zemura; Rothwell, Billing, Ouattara, Semenyo; Solanke.
Liverpool team news
Liverpool face Real Madrid on Wednesday, with that their last fixture until a trip to the Etihad on 1 April, after the international break.
Given that they’re not in action next weekend, Jürgen Klopp’s side can go all out in these two games.
Klopp will feel he’s found the right balance in attack, given that Darwin Núñez, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo all scored twice in the demolition of Man United.
Stefan Bajčetić was surprisingly left on the bench for that game, but Harvey Elliott more than justified his inclusion.
Fitness permitting, Ibrahima Konaté will be Virgil van Dijk’s centre-back partner for the foreseeable future.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk, Konaté, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Elliott; Salah, Gakpo, Núñez.
Bournemouth vs Liverpool: Head to head statistics
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Premier League table
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