Afternoon all, and welcome to the Vitality Stadium! It seems only a moment ago that England were reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, but the new Premier League campaign is now underway. As always, Sports Mole has it covered across the board, and you can follow live minute-by-minute updates of Bournemouth's clash with Cardiff City right here. Stay tuned for the action!

This afternoon will be the first meeting between Bournemouth and Cardiff since they locked horns in the Championship back in 2015. The points were shared in Wales on that particular afternoon, but Bournemouth actually recorded a 5-3 win over Cardiff when the pair last met at the home of the Cherries in December 2014. Eight goals this afternoon would be nice, there is no doubt about that.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Vitality Stadium. Both of these sides were fairly active in the summer market – just how many new signings make the XIs? Let's run through the two teams that will start this Premier League clash...

TEAMS!

BMOUTH: Begovic; Smith, Ake, Cook, Daniels; Brooks, Gosling, Surman, Fraser; King, Wilson

CARDIFF: Etheridge; Peltier, Morrison, Manga, Bennett; Bamba, Paterson, Ralls; Hoilett, Reid, Mendez-Laing

The big team news for Bournemouth sees summer arrival David Brooks (below) make his Cherries debut in a wide position. The 21-year-old joined Eddie Howe's side from Sheffield United in the summer, and is thrust straight into the XI for this one. Josh King and Callum Wilson are up top for the home side, but the club's record signing Jefferson Lerma is not involved having only joined on Thursday.

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As for Cardiff, there is a debut for summer arrival Bobby Reid, who scored 21 times in all competitions for Bristol City last season. Reid will lead the away side's line with support from Junior Hoilett and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, with new arrival Josh Murphy on the bench. Sol Bamba will seemingly start in central midfield, with new arrival Harry Arter not involved this afternoon.

So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in Bournemouth. I shall speak about Cardiff a little bit later, but let's start with the home team. Eddie Howe's side finished 12th in the Premier League last season - winning 11, drawing 11 and losing 16 of their 38 league fixtures to claim 44 points, which left them 11 clear of the relegation zone.

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When you realise you're in the starting line-up and set for your @premierleague debut...#BOUCAR // #afcb 🍒 pic.twitter.com/KFUGInmERt — AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 11, 2018

Bournemouth's home record last season was quite disappointing, however, winning just seven of their 19 matches at the Vitality Stadium. They also only managed 26 home goals during the 2017-18 Premier League season, and conceded 30, which was among the worst records in the division.

Howe's team have had a fairly mixed pre-season in terms of results, but they beat Marseille 5-2 last weekend, and will be looking to pick up all three points this afternoon ahead of a difficult run of matches which sees them face West Ham United (A), Everton (H) and Chelsea (A) before the September international break. The atmosphere is really building here as kickoff approaches!

In terms of summer business, Bournemouth broke their transfer record to sign Jefferson Lerma from Levante, while Diego Rico and David Brooks also arrived at the Vitality Stadium this summer. Jermain Defoe had been linked with an exit, but instead strikers Benik Afobe and Lewis Grabban both departed. Defoe is on the bench this afternoon, with King and Wilson named as the front two.

Brooks makes his debut for Bournemouth this afternoon, but neither Lerma nor Rico are in the squad. The duo will be presented ahead of kickoff, however, as confirmed by the club...

Welcome our new signings to Vitality Stadium! 👋

Jefferson Lerma and Diego Rico will be officially unveiled at 2.45pm ahead of kick off today.#afcb 🍒 — AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 11, 2018

Cardiff, meanwhile, brought Josh Murphy, Bobby Reid, Greg Cunningham, Alex Smithies, Harry Arter and Victor Camarasa to the club this summer. Arter and Camarasa both came on loan on transfer deadline day, and head coach Neil Warnock will be pretty pleased with his summer business. Just the one new signing in the starting XI here, however, as Reid leads the attack.

Like Bournemouth, Cardiff had some mixed results during pre-season, but they beat Burton Albion and Amiens before suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to Real Betis last weekend. Cardiff will host Newcastle United and travel to Huddersfield Town in their two fixtures after this one, before facing three straight matches against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, which is not ideal.

Cardiff were last present at this level of football during the 2013-14 season, but they failed to remain in the top flight. Indeed, the Bluebirds only won seven of their 38 Premier League matches during that particular season, and were relegated alongside Fulham and Norwich City.

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Come on you #Bluebirds!#CityAsOne 🔵⚽️🔵⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Kc4PRbUrKk — Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) August 11, 2018

The Welsh outfit finished 11th, 8th and 12th in their next three seasons in the Championship, before securing a return to the Premier League courtesy of a second-placed finish in the second tier last term. Warnock's side had a very impressive 2017-18 campaign, and will be looking to make a positive start to life back in the top flight. Kickoff at the Vitality Stadium is less than 10 minutes away!

Here we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at the Vitality Stadium. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have both already picked up wins in the new Premier League season, and now the 3pm kickoffs are upon us. Stay tuned for live updates!

KICKOFF:  Cardiff kick things off at the Vitality Stadium...

... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. Both of these teams will fancy their chances of claiming all three points here, and it should be a good game.

Bournemouth are having most of the ball at the moment as they pass and probe in Cardiff's half of the field. Just a reminder that there is no Harry Arter for Cardiff this afternoon, with the midfielder unavailable to face his parent club. No chances to report, but there is a decent tempo to this one.

YELLOW CARD!  Peltier (Cardiff) is booked for a rash challenge on Fraser.

CHANCE!  Big moment for Cardiff as Mendez-Laing breaks down the left before delivering a dangerous cross towards the head of Reid, but Cook just about does enough to make the clearance!

Very, very open game of football here as both teams continue to pass and probe in the final third. I would be astounded if there were not goals due to the attacking quality on the field this afternoon.

Bournemouth are having lots of the ball at the moment as they push Cardiff back, but the away side's goalkeeper has not had to make a save in the first nine minutes. Neither has Begovic though.

CHANCE!  Big moment for Bournemouth as Wilson dances his way through a couple of challenges before striking towards goal, but the ball flashes past the near post. Great work from the centre-forward.

SHOT!  Reid's strike from a narrow angle was always missing the Bournemouth post.

Still no goals in the 3pm Premier League kickoffs, but just a reminder that Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have beaten Leicester City and Newcastle United 2-1 respectively in the first two matches of the new Premier League season. Low-key start to the 3pms thus far though!

You do get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial in this match. Both teams have shown their attacking intent early on, but chances have been limited here.

Smart work from Bournemouth as King finds space in a wide position before delivering, but Bamba is on hand to make the clearance. The resulting corner is then wasted by the home side.

So, 20 minutes on the clock, and we are still level at 0-0. Bournemouth have shaded it in terms of possession, but clear chances have been few and far between. Cardiff's threat has mostly come in the wide positions, with Mendez-Laing showing that he has the better of Daniels in terms of pace.

You suspect that Cardiff boss Warnock would be delighted with a point this afternoon. The onus is on Bournemouth to claim there points on home soil, but it has been an even match thus far here.

GOAL!  Bournemouth 1-0 Cardiff (Fraser)

Bournemouth make the breakthrough in the 24th minute as Wilson finds space in a wide position before delivering low into Fraser, and the winger smashes the ball into the back of the net!

Cardiff just need to ride out this period as Bournemouth threaten to score a second. The home supporters are driving their team forward, and Fraser looks very lively indeed. The goalscorer creates another half-chance as he feeds King, but the attacker's effort is wide of the far post.

Wilson continues to cause Cardiff problems with his power and clever movement in the final third. The visitors are struggling to deal with the pressure at the moment as the wave of attacks continue.

Cardiff forward Reid is not having much change out of Bournemouth centre-backs Cook and Ake at the moment, with the visitors struggling for possession. The Cherries are well on top here.

PENALTY!  Bournemouth have a spot kick as Wilson goes down under a challenge from Manga!

SAVE!  Etheridge keeps out the strike from Wilson! Big moment for the Cardiff goalkeeper!

Well, plenty has happened in this first period! Easily the most entertaining of the 3pm kickoffs thus far, with Bournemouth doing their best to score a second before the half-time interval here.

Cardiff just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Bournemouth continue to force the issue.

Bournemouth want a free kick just on the edge of the Cardiff box as Bennett tangles with Brooks, but the referee instead awards a free kick to the visitors. The Welsh outfit really need the half-time whistle here because they are struggling badly with Bournemouth's power and intensity on home soil.

CHANCE!  Big chance for Cardiff as Ralls delivers a terrific cross into Mendez-Laing, but the number 19 just cannot make proper contact at the far post. Easily the away side's best chance of the first period.

YELLOW CARD!  Daniels (Bournemouth) is booked for a heavy challenge on Hoilett.

Hoilett is back on his feet, but the resulting free kick comes to nothing. I suspect that there could be three minutes of added time at the end of the first period, so we are not yet finished here.

Mendez-Laing heads harmlessly wide at the far post as we head for an extra two minutes.

Pressure from Bournemouth at the moment as the home side look to double their advantage.

HALF TIME:  Bournemouth 1-0 Cardiff

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Bournemouth leading 1-0 courtesy of a smart finish from Fraser. The home side had the chance to double their lead from the penalty spot, but Etheridge was on hand to keep out Wilson's low strike. Really good game here!

STATISTICS! Bournemouth dominated the first-half possession with 66%, while the hosts had five attempts - two of which were on target. Cardiff, meanwhile, had three attempts, but all were off target. In truth, the Welsh outfit are a touch fortunate to only be 1-0 behind at the Vitality Stadium.

BENCH WATCH! Cardiff have new signings Camarasa, Cunningham and Murphy on their bench this afternoon, while Madine is also available if Warnock wishes to add something different to his attack. Bournemouth, meanwhile, have the likes of Cook, Defoe, Ibe and Mousset on their bench.

KICKOFF:  Bournemouth resume the action on home soil...

... no changes from either side at the break, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops in Bournemouth.

You do get the feeling that Cardiff need to score the next goal if they are to stand a chance of picking up a positive result from this match. Indeed, it would be very difficult to see them coming from two goals behind to avoid defeat. Bournemouth will be desperate for that second goal.

Cardiff are struggling to get out of their own half at the moment as Bournemouth continue to force the issue. It is so important that the visitors do not concede a second during this period.

Morrison has to clear the danger as the ball bounces off Reid and into a dangerous position. Bournemouth continue to force the issue; it is just one-way traffic and nothing else here.

Finally Cardiff manage to venture into Bournemouth's half of the field, but a long throw does not lead to a chance. The visitors need more from Hoilett and Reid in the final third here.

We are just entering the period of the match where both managers will be thinking about changes. A second for Bournemouth would surely be enough to win it, and therefore Warnock might well hold off for 10 or 15 minutes before looking to his bench. It is a very important period of the match.

Fraser delivers another dangerous free kick into the Cardiff box, but there are no takers. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining, and Fraser's goal still separates the two teams here.

Cardiff manage to survive another period of pressure as Bournemouth have three corners in quick succession. Morrison and Ralls have both made important clearances for the away side here.

Much better from Cardiff, and Paterson has a strike deflected over the home side's goal.

So much better from Cardiff at the moment as they continue to force set pieces.

CHANCE!  Chances at both ends here as Morrison just fails to meet a cross from Hoilett before Brooks somehow heads a King across away from goal. Fast counter from the home side!

CARDIFF SUBS! Paterson and Mendez-Laing are replaced by Murphy and Ward.

CHANCE!  Incredible moment! Cardiff look certain to level Murphy's over-head kick falls to Morrison barely two yards from goal, but the centre-back gets his feet mixed up! What a chance!

BOURNEMOUTH SUB! Francis replaces Brooks for the home side.

Cardiff have a free kick in a dangerous position as Francis brings Ralls to the deck...

... Reid's free kick was always high of the home side's goal.

Little under 20 minutes of football remaining, and you do get the feeling that there is another goal in this match. Cardiff have been much, much better in the last 10 minutes or so at the Vitality here.

Bournemouth will have only themselves to blame if they do not end up winning this match. Cardiff have stayed in the game, and they are now the team pushing for a goal with 73 minutes played.

Murphy dances into a dangerous position before striking towards goal, but Francis is on hand to make the block. The resulting corner from Hoilett is then cleared by Ake. More pressure here.

Little over 10 minutes of the second period remaining, and Fraser's goal is still the difference. Bournemouth should have scored a second in the first period, but Cardiff stuck in there, and now the visitors are threatening to score the game's second goal. Very interesting conclusion to this one!

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, and there is some movement on both benches at the moment. Warnock can still make one more Cardiff change if he wishes.

Wilson finds some space inside the Cardiff box, but instead of shooting, the forward looks for King, and the danger is cleared. Bournemouth have had some really good situations here.

Still more than enough time for Cardiff to find a leveller, but Bournemouth are currently the team on the front foot. A second for the home side at this stage would certainly secure the points.

Little over five minutes of normal time remaining, and Fraser's goal is still the difference.

Both teams are struggling to keep the ball at the moment as it all gets a bit scrappy!

Some concern for Bournemouth defender Cook here as he stays down following a high challenge. Cardiff have some huge men, and there were a lot of bodies in that latest coming-together.

CARDIFF SUB! Madine replaces Reid for the away side.

GOAL!  Bournemouth 2-0 Cardiff (Wilson)

Bournemouth score a second to secure all the points, with Wilson smashing a low Francis cross into the bottom corner of the net. Tough on Cardiff, but that is all the points for the home side.

BOURNEMOUTH SUBS! Mousset and Defoe replace Smith and Mousset.

Job well done for Bournemouth this afternoon. Cardiff have plenty to think about.

FULL TIME:  Bournemouth 2-0 Cardiff

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Bournemouth recording a 2-0 win at the Vitality Stadium courtesy of goals from Fraser and Wilson. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live Premier League coverage. See you again soon!