Bournemouth come into this game in improved form with a run of three league games without defeat. They look to extend that run with a home game against Burnley who need to bounce back after that late defeat by Arsenal on Sunday.
The home side are 13th in the Premier League table four points above the bottom three that they were in earlier in the season. It’s not out of the question that they might end up back in the relegation zone by the end of the year. By the time 2017 ends, Bournemouth have to host Liverpool and travel to both Manchester clubs and Chelsea.
Their defence has been a big problem since promotion to the Premier League but it’s doing well at present with three straight clean sheets in recent weeks. The weekend saw them earn a goalless draw at Swansea City and they only have one defeat in their last six league and cup games.
Goals have been in short supply this season with only 11 in 13 league games and four of those came in the 4-0 home win over Huddersfield earlier this month. Their other five home Premier League games have seen them score just three times. The return of Callum Wilson, who hit a hat-trick against Huddersfield is promising but Jermaine Defoe continues to be a disappointment since signing during the summer. Five of their last seven league games have seen under 2.5 goals scored and that’s just one of the reasons why a goalfest isn’t likely in this game.
Burnley are seventh in the Premier League and only three points adrift of the top four. It looked as if they’d be a point nearer, but their hearts were broken when Alexis Sanchez hit a late penalty to give Arsenal a 1-0 win at Turf Moor on Sunday.
Last season Burnley’s away form was atrocious, but it’s been a revelation this time around. Six away league games have only produced one defeat, rather predictably away to Manchester City. They have already beaten Chelsea and grabbed draws at both Liverpool and Tottenham. Six away games have only seen 14 goals scored and eight of those came in the games against Chelsea and Manchester City. 11 of their last 12 league games have had under 2.5 goals scored in them. They keep it tight at the back but still lack a top goal scorer.
Conclusion
Both sides come into this game in decent form but with a few problems up front. Bournemouth did beat Huddersfield 4-0 in their last home game but will find the defence of Burnley a lot tougher and three of their last four games have seen them score just once. Burnley have proved themselves difficult opponents on their travels this season with only one defeat at Manchester City. They so nearly got that point against Arsenal but need to earn some points at Bournemouth and Leicester at the weekend if they want to keep on the heels of the top four. This isn’t easy to predict but a bet on there being under 2.5 goals in the game looks one that could be profitable.
The Key Stats
Last Five Premier League Results – Most recent first
Bournemouth – DWWLW
Burnley – LWWWL
13/05/17 – Bournemouth 2 Burnley 1
10/12/16 – Burnley 3 Bournemouth 2
15/02/14 – Bournemouth 1 Burnley 1
09/11/13 – Burnley 1 Bournemouth 1
12/02/00 – Bournemouth 0 Burnley 1
- Bournemouth have only lost one of their last six home league games against Burnley.
- Five of the last eight league and cup games between these two sides have seen under 2.5 goals scored.
- Bournemouth have kept three straight clean sheets.
- Five of the last seven Bournemouth league games have seen under 2.5 goals scored.
- Bournemouth have won three of their last five league games.
- Burnley have only lost one of their six away league games this season.
- 11 of the last 12 Burnley league games have had under 2.5 goals scored in them.
- Burnley have won two of their last three away league games.