MX23RW : Thursday, July 16 04:27:15| >> :120:26517:26517:
Jul 12, 2020 at 7pm UK at Vitality Stadium
BournemouthBournemouth
4-1
LeicesterLeicester City
Stanislas (65' pen.), Solanke (67', 87'), Evans (83' og.)
Gosling (32'), Stanislas (86')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Vardy (23')
Ndidi (65')
Soyuncu (67')

Preview: Bournemouth vs. Leicester City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Premier League clash between Bournemouth and Leicester City, including team news and predicted lineups.

Two sides in desperate need of three points for entirely different reasons will lock horns in the Premier League on Sunday evening as Bournemouth welcome Leicester City to the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth currently lie three points adrift of safety as things stand, whereas Leicester's top-four standing is in jeopardy following just one win since the restart.


Match preview

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe pictured on July 1, 2020© Reuters

Bournemouth produced a terrific display of defensive resilience to keep Tottenham Hotspur at bay and play out a goalless stalemate with the North London outfit, and that point could yet prove vital in their bid to avoid the drop.

Indeed, the Cherries now only have a gap of three points separating them from safety, although 17th-placed Watford could double that advantage over their fellow relegation rivals with victory over Newcastle United the day before.

However, the game against Spurs could have panned out in an entirely different fashion for Bournemouth as Harry Kane was denied a penalty following a shove by Joshua King - a decision which the league has since admitted was incorrect.

The Cherries were given their own taste of technological frustration in the dying embers of the game too, as Callum Wilson's acrobatic effort was ruled out following a handball by King.

Nevertheless, Eddie Howe's men managed to end their five-game losing streak to give themselves that little glimmer of hope for survival, although the Cherries still have to face the daunting task of an away fixture at Manchester City next Wednesday.

Every Bournemouth fan will be pinning their hopes on Newcastle to take all three points at Watford on Saturday, although even if the Cherries do manage to pick up victory over Leicester in this perfect case scenario, they may remain in the bottom three by means of goal difference depending on the respective scorelines.

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring against Arsenal on July 7, 2020© Reuters

Leicester City went into their clash with Arsenal knowing that another three points would firmly cement their position in the Champions League places at this stage of the campaign.

However, the Foxes were made to work for a point as Jamie Vardy's second-half equaliser cancelled out golden boot rival Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's opener at the Emirates, although Leicester may have struggled to salvage a draw had Eddie Nketiah not been given his marching orders following a VAR review.

Brendan Rodgers's men have only managed to record one victory since the Premier League was given the green light to resume, and with an in-form Manchester United side currently just one point behind the Foxes, all four of Leicester's remaining games are must win, no questions asked.

The trip to the South Coast to face a struggling Bournemouth side is followed up by three challenging fixtures against Sheffield United, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, meaning that Leicester fans will be anxiously holding their breath as their side aspires to secure a route back into the Champions League.

However, the draw at the Emirates means that Leicester are winless in their last five matches away from home, although Vardy appears to have rediscovered his scoring touch at the perfect time for the Foxes and will be hoping to add to his 22-goal tally for the season on Sunday.

A brace from Vardy and a Youri Tielemans tap-in gave Leicester a 3-1 victory earlier in the campaign, with Callum Wilson notching up Bournemouth's goal at the King Power Stadium.

Bournemouth Premier League form: LLLLLD

Leicester City Premier League form: WDDLWL
Leicester City form (all competitions): DDLLWL


Team News

James Maddison in action for Leicester on June 20, 2020© Reuters

Adam Smith was stretchered off against Spurs following a nasty-looking collision with Ben Davies, and while Howe has confirmed the Cherries defender is doing well, Smith may not make the starting lineup for this one.

David Brooks was also withdrawn as a precautionary measure on Thursday, meaning that Harry Wilson could start on the right flank with Jack Stacey occupying the right-back spot in Smith's absence.

Charlie Daniels, Chris Mepham and Simon Francis are all nursing injuries and unavailable for Bournemouth.

As far as Leicester are concerned, Rodgers has confirmed that James Maddison and Ben Chilwell will be forced to miss out the trip to the Vitality.

The England duo may return in time for the trip to Sheffield United, but for now Chilwell and Maddison will join Daniel Amartey and Ricardo Pereira in the medical room.

Demarai Gray will be hoping that his assist against Arsenal is enough to earn him a start this weekend, and Dennis Praet may be given a run out in the middle of the park.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Stacey, Ake, Kelly, Rico; Brooks, Lerma, Gosling, Stanislas; C. Wilson, King

Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Bennett, Evans, Soyuncu; Justin, Ndidi, Praet, Albrighton; Gray, Vardy, Perez


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Bournemouth 0-1 Leicester City

Leicester will view the clash with Bournemouth as possibly their friendliest remaining fixture of the 2019-20 campaign, but the Cherries should feel optimistic following their dogged display against Spurs. We are not expecting many goals in this fixture, but Leicester should have enough to edge out a narrow victory and keep their Champions League hopes alive.


ID:406004:

Who will win Sunday's Premier League clash between Bournemouth and Leicester City?

Bournemouth
Draw
Leicester City
Bournemouth
16.8%
Draw
12.0%
Leicester City
71.3%
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Bournemouth's Callum Wilson celebrates scoring their third goal on January 21, 2020
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLiverpool36303377294893
2Manchester CityMan City36243993355875
3Chelsea361961164491563
4Leicester CityLeicester351781065362959
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd351611861352659
6Wolverhampton WanderersWolves361414849381156
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs3615101157461155
8Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd35141293833554
9Arsenal36131495345853
10Burnley36149134048-851
11Everton35129144152-1145
12Southampton35136164558-1345
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361110153755-1843
14Crystal Palace35119153045-1542
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton35812153652-1636
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham3597194459-1534
17Watford35810173354-2134
18Bournemouth3687213762-2531
19Aston Villa3586213865-2730
20Norwich CityNorwich3656252668-4221

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