Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur will meet in a league fixture for the first time when the two sides face each other at Dean Court on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs currently boast the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League, while the Cherries head into the weekend sitting just two points above the relegation zone.

Bournemouth

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Bournemouth learned a harsh lesson about life in the Premier League last weekend when they slipped to an emphatic 5-1 defeat against Manchester City, who capitalised on almost every individual mistake to record a comfortable win.

It was certainly the poorest Eddie Howe's side have performed this season, and although they have played well for long spells of the campaign, they head into the 10th round of fixtures sitting 17th in the table.

Despite making it clear that Bournemouth would stick to their possession-based attacking style, there is no doubt that Howe will be desperate for his defence to raise their levels as they prepare to meet Spurs and Southampton either side of a League Cup clash with Liverpool in midweek.

"The defeat to Manchester City could be a good thing. You have to learn lessons and make sure you come out of it positively," he told reporters. "I think the big thing coming out for us was to make sure we tighten up, the goals we conceded were disappointing."

The table never lies and it is proof that Bournemouth need to find consistency quickly, as well as a cutting edge which may have turned some of their five losses into positive results.

Injuries have played such a big part in the club's first Premier League campaign, with Callum Wilson, Tyrone Mings and Max Gradel all out of action after damaging their cruciate ligaments, but the form of striker Glenn Murray, who has scored twice in two starts, will come as a boost.

A huge test arrives after performing so poorly against Man City, and how the Cherries respond this weekend will indicate whether they can avoid dropping into an even worse position as they bid to avoid a long battle flirting with the bottom three.

Recent form: DLWLDL
Recent form (all competitions): LWDLDL

Spurs

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Mauricio Pochettino will look to produce a response from his players after another league draw was followed by defeat to Anderlecht in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Despite lacking the clinical edge needed to collect three points in the stalemate with Liverpool last weekend, Pochettino will surely have been pleased with how his defence coped once again as they extended their unbeaten run in the league to eight games on a day when Jurgen Klopp's debut dominated the headlines.

Losing just once in nine matches may indicate that Spurs would be challenging with the sides at the top of the table, but missed chances to turn draws into wins means they are currently seven points behind leaders Man City in seventh.

Winning only three times in that run suggests that something is still missing from this side, and the key factor is arguably the form of Harry Kane, who has only managed to score once in the league despite pleasing Pochettino with his all-round performances.

After being vulnerable at the back for so many years, centre-backs Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld have helped Spurs earn the equal best defensive record in the league alongside Arsenal, but producing their best at both ends of the pitch has escaped Spurs so far.

Defeat to Anderlecht means that the Europa League campaign will be tougher than many expected, and the mood is certainly different for Spurs, who are just short of the dominant form which could convince their doubters that a solid start will bring success in the league this season.

Recent form: DWWWDD
Recent form (all competitions): LWDDDL

Team News

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Spurs were dealt a blow this week with the news that Nacer Chadli is set to miss up to six weeks after injuring his ankle against Liverpool, and the setback puts pressure on a squad already depleted by injuries.

Son Heung-min and Nabil Bentaleb remain on the sidelines, but Ryan Mason should return to the squad after recovering from a knee injury.

Despite a thigh injury persuading Pochettino to only use Kane as a substitute against Anderlecht, the England striker is likely to be fit enough to start on Sunday.

Bournemouth will be without Artur Boruc once again after he picked up a thigh injury in the warm-up prior to the game against Man City, which means Adam Federici will start in goal once again.

Harry Arter is available to make his first appearance of the season following a groin injury, while Marc Pugh and Lee Tomlin are in contention to return

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Federici; Francis, Cook, Distin, Daniels; Gosling, Surman; King, Tomlin, Ritchie; Murray

Spurs possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele; Lamela, Alli, Eriksen; Kane

Head To Head

These two sides have met just once in a competitive fixture. Bournemouth, who were in the old Third Division at the time, caused a shock with a 3-1 win over Spurs in the fifth round of the FA Cup 58 years ago.

Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe and Wilson Palacios scored the goals when Spurs last visited Bournemouth's home in a 3-1 pre-season win in July 2009.

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We say: Bournemouth 1-2 Spurs

Bournemouth will be hoping to bounce back from such a disappointing display last weekend, but Spurs are targeting a response to a defeat on Thursday night and they have proved over and over again how difficult they can be to break down. The opening goal could be crucial, and Tottenham may have just enough to battle to all three points.

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