Preview: Bournemouth vs. Rotherham United - prediction, team news, lineups

Jonathan Woodgate potentially has one more game to stake a claim to become Bournemouth's next permanent manager when the Cherries welcome Rotherham United to the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth enter the midweek round of Championship fixtures sixth in the table, while visitors Rotherham are in 21st and just one point above the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Former England centre-back Woodgate has won two and drawn one of his three games as interim boss following the exit of Jason Tindall.

The 41-year-old is thought to be in the running to take over permanently, though the likes of Marco Silva, David Wagner and Patrick Viera are all higher-profile candidates.

Woodgate can be pleased with his work since stepping in, though Saturday's goalless draw with Nottingham Forest leaves Bournemouth looking over their shoulder at the chasing pack.

In-form Cardiff City are within six points of the Cherries in the final playoff spot, and the two sides are set to face off next week in a potentially huge clash.

Bournemouth cannot afford to drop more points, then, having now won just one of their last seven league matches - a 3-2 victory against Birmingham City in their most recent home match.

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However, the South Coast side have lost two times in their last three league games at the Vitality Stadium, compared to just two losses in their previous 14 such matches.

That could be good news for a Rotherham side boasting a three-game winning streak on their travels, beating Derby County, Middlesbrough and Preston North End in that run.

Paul Warne's side lost 2-1 to Cardiff late on, but three wins in their last five overall is the type of form that will keep them above the dotted line.

Rotherham have had eight days' rest heading into Wednesday's meeting with Bournemouth, too, following the postponement of Saturday's game against Queens Park Rangers.

However, the Millers are winless in five league games against the Cherries since 2009, most recently playing out a 2-2 draw in November's clash at the New York Stadium.

Bournemouth Championship form: LLLLWD
Bournemouth form (all competitions): WLLWWD

Rotherham United Championship form: DWLWWL

Team News

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Steve Cook has been ruled out with a groin injury, likely meaning a start for Lloyd Kelly alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers in the heart of defence.

Shane Long has failed to find the net in his first two starts since joining on loan from Southampton, though he should still get the nod over Sam Surridge here.

Woodgate has plenty of squad depth and could turn to the likes of Phillip Billing, Lewis Cook and David Brooks.

As for the visitors, Jamie Lindsay, Joe Mattock and Chiedozie Ogbene are among those on the sidelines.

Angus MacDonald and Ryan Giles are among those pushing for recalls on the back of the defeat to Cardiff a week ago.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Smith, Kelly, Carter-Vickers, Rico; Lerma, Cook, Wilshere; Brooks, Long, Danjuma

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Harding, MacDonald, Robertson, Ihiekwe, Giles; Wing, Wiles, Crooks, Barlaser; Smith

We say: Bournemouth 2-1 Rotherham United

Rotherham have won three away games in a row and are seeking a fourth on the spin in the second tier for the first time since March 1982.

However, Bournemouth ended a three-match winless run at home last time out and we can see them digging deep to pick up all three points.