Preview: Bolton v AFC BournemouthSETTING THE SCENE As Bournemouth make only their second ever visit to Macron Stadium this weekend, Wanderers will be keen to put their midweek defeat against Fulham behind them and head into the October international break on a high.
The two sides competed in the same division for the first time since 1992/93 last season, with the Whites clinching a 2-0 away win over the Cherries, before drawing 2-2 in the return fixture at BL6.
Bidding to maintain their superior record in this fixture, Bolton will be eager to make home advantage count as they come up against a side that have not won away from home in the league since the opening day of the season.
ALL-TIME RECORD | Bolton wins | Draws | AFC Bournemouth wins |
League | 8 | 4 | 8 |
FA Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 |
League Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 9 | 5 | 8 |
TEAM NEWSWanderers have no new injury concerns ahead of this weekend’s clash with Bournemouth.
Adam Bogdan, Liam Trotter and David Wheater remain long-term absentees for Bolton, while Marc Tierney and Sanmi Odelusi will also miss out.
LAST TIME OUT30/09/2014: Derby County 2-0 Bournemouth
Two late goals saw ten-man Bournemouth suffer defeat against Derby County, leaving the Cherries with just one league win since the middle of August.
Goalkeeper Lee Camp was dismissed in the 67th minute for a foul on Jamie Ward just outside the box, but the Rams had to wait until the final ten minutes before they made their numerical advantage count.
Will Hughes broke the deadlock nine minutes from time when he fired home from 15 yards after exchanging passes with Chris Martin, before provider turned goalscorer in stoppage time, the Scot turning in compatriot Johnny Russell’s ball from the right to seal the win.
Bournemouth: Camp, Francis, Cook, Elphick, Harte, Surman, Arter (Kermorgant 86), Stanislas (Pugh 56), Ritchie, O’Kane, Wilson (Flahavan 70)
ONE TO WATCHCallum Wilson
Highly-rated forward Callum Wilson has enjoyed an explosive start to his Bournemouth career, scoring five goals in his first seven appearances, having been signed as Lewis Grabban’s replacement earlier this summer.
Starting his career with Coventry City, the 22-year-old made his professional debut for the Sky Blues in August 2009, before later enjoying loan moves to Kettering Town and Tamworth.
Despite Coventry’s well-publicised troubles off the pitch in recent campaigns, it did not stop Wilson from netting 22 goals in 41 matches last season, with his good form in front of goal not going unnoticed as Eddie Howe swooped to give the striker a deserved move to the Championship.
LAST TIME THEY WERE HERE
08/02/2014: Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Bournemouth (Chung-Yong 21, Jutkiewicz 32, Grabban 34, Francis 66)
Despite racing into a two-goal lead, Wanderers were forced to settle for a point on Bournemouth’s last visit to BL6.
Lee Chung-Yong had fired the Whites’ ahead when he smashed home Mark Davies’ pass to give Bolton a deserved lead, before Lukas Jutkiewicz controlled Alex Baptiste’s hopeful long ball forward before striking a sweet half-volley that flew into the back of the net just after the half-hour mark.
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