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Bournemouth logo
Premier League
Mar 12, 2016 at 3pm UK
 
Swansea logo

3-2

Gradel (37'), King (50'), Cook (78')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Barrow (39'), Sigurdsson (62')

Preview: Bournemouth vs. Swansea City

Sports Mole looks ahead to the Premier League match on Saturday afternoon between two in-form bottom-half sides, Bournemouth and Swansea City.

Two sides that have seemingly escaped the relegation scrap in recent weeks collide at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday as Bournemouth host Swansea City.

Neither team is yet assured of safety, so three points would be a huge boost given that some of the sides below do not play this weekend.


Bournemouth

Bournemouth players celebrate an own goal by Steven Taylor of Newcastle United on March 5, 2016© Getty Images

Seven points out of a possible nine from their last three league games means that Eddie Howe's Cherries are above Crystal Palace and up to 14th, 11 clear of the drop zone.

Last weekend they travelled to one of the sides below them and put in a dominant display to beat Newcastle United 3-1 and pile the pressure on Magpies boss Steve McClaren.

Joshua King scored the pick of the goals and he has since paid tribute to his "best" manager Howe, while fellow forward Max Gradel also impressed on his first start since August.

Their three goals at Newcastle all came from open play, but Howe might look to capitalise on set-piece situations given that 43% of the goals Swansea have conceded this season have been from dead balls - a league high.

The Cherries are now five away games unbeaten in the top flight and they have collected more points on the road than at the Vitality Stadium, where they are yet to win back-to-back games this season - something that they can achieve with victory tomorrow.

Recent Premier League form: WLLDWW
Recent form (all competitions): LLLDWW


Swansea

Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea City celebrates scoring his team's first goal against Norwich City at Liberty Stadium on March 5, 2016© Getty Images

Like Bournemouth, Swansea come into this match on a two-game winning streak having beaten Arsenal and Norwich City last week without manager Francesco Guidolin, who has now recovered from his chest infection but will again be absent tomorrow.

The turnaround triumph at the Emirates was a huge surprise, but the win over struggling Norwich, the only top-flight team without an away clean sheet this season, was expected.

Gylfi Sigurdsson scored the only goal against the Canaries to make it eight league goals this season - already his best return in a single campaign. In his last 10 league games, the Icelandic midfielder has scored six goals to help the Swans push up the table.

The club's two recent wins have seen the Welsh outfit edge nine points clear of the bottom three with just nine games of the season to go.

Away from home, Swansea have won only three of their last 15 in the Premier League, but have suffered defeat just once in the last four. In that time, the Swans have also kept just one clean sheet.

Recent form: DDLLWW


Team News

Harry Arter celebrates during the Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Bournemouth on February 2, 2016© Getty Images

Changes are unlikely from Bournemouth given their display at St James' last time out, but Harry Arter is closing in on a return from his Achilles' problem.

Tyrone Mings (knee), Callum Wilson (knee) and Junior Stanislas (hamstring) remain out for the home side.

For Swansea, Guidolin may have a fully-fit squad to choose from, with Ki Sung-Yueng the club's only doubt with an ankle problem.

Leroy Fer is pushing for a start and may come in after setting up the winning goal against Norwich last time.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Boruc; Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels; Ritchie, Gosling, Surman, Gradel; Afobe, King

Swansea possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Cork, Britton; Ayew, Sigurdsson, Routledge, Paloschi


Head To Head

All four goals arrived in the first half of the reverse as Swansea fought back from an early 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 at the Liberty Stadium.

On the south coast, Swansea have won two of their last three matches at Bournemouth.


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We say: Bournemouth 1-1 Swansea

Both sides are chasing three wins in a row, but they might just be content with a point apiece to edge ever closer to safety.



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