Bournemouth will host Fulham in a huge game of significance for both managers, with the two teams chasing European qualification.

Andoni Iraola will have analysed the reasons for Bournemouth’s downfall over the last few weeks as they get set to host Fulham at the Vitality Stadium. The Cherries have gone from the conversation of a probable Champions League qualification to now casting doubts over their ability to even make it to one of the European places.

The Cherries are without a win in the Premier League for six games now, and the last few results have been utterly disappointing. In the middle of that dreadful run, the dream of featuring in Wembley also slipped away, as Bournemouth crashed out of the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Last weekend, they finally looked capable of overcoming their adversities having taken an unassailable 2-0 lead while dominating proceedings against West Ham. Yet, the Hammers came back and managed to draw the clash. Bournemouth are currently on nine points adrift of fifth-placed Aston Villa, and the chances of Champions League qualification are more or less gone, although there is hope to still make one of the continental spots.

Fulham are not that far away from Bournemouth in the standings, but they still are in with a chance of challenging for a top-five place if things go their way. Marco Silva will demand consistency from his players ahead of this run-in, as they can get to within three points of fifth-placed Aston Villa if they win against Bournemouth.

Last weekend, they certainly showed character against the league leaders Liverpool and got a big win under their bag. Alexis Mac Allister gave Arne Slot’s side the lead with a stunner from a distance, but that advantage only lasted for a short while.

Fulham’s attackers then forced the Liverpool backline to make some terrible mistakes and put them under tremendous pressure in their best period of the game. Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi, and Rodrigo Muniz all scored in a 14-minute period in the first half to allow Fulham to take a 3-1 lead heading into halftime. A second-half strike from Luis Diaz did make things tricky, but the Cottagers held on to collect three points.

Team News & Tactics

Bournemouth

Bournemouth were dealt with another injury blow as key midfielder Ryan Christie was ruled out for the remainder of the season. The Cherries star had been pushing hard to stay fit from a groin problem and avoid surgery, although the club have decided to get the procedure done, meaning Tyler Adams will have to see out the remainder of the season in midfield alongside Lewis Cook.

Justin Kluivert is a significant doubt for the Fulham clash with an unspecified problem as he also missed the game against West Ham United. Marcus Tavernier is also touch and go for this clash, although Andoni Iraola confirmed Luis Sinisterra might have less of a chance to make it to the squad.

Dango Ouattara is the likely replacement for Kluivert, while David Brooks could take the right-wing slot in the attacking third. Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson will complete the attacking setup, with the latter eager to become only the fourth Brazilian to score ten goals or more in his debut Premier League campaign.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Hill, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Cook; Brooks, Ouattara, Semenyo; Evanilson

Fulham

Unlike Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva does not have a whole lot of injury problems to contend with, with Reiss Nelson the only absentee as things stand. Harry Wilson might be some way off from making it to the matchday squad having returned to training.

Silva is not expected to make any significant changes to his side from the win over Liverpool. Calvin Bassey and Joachim Andersen are expected to keep their central defensive spots, with Timoty Castagne and Antonee Robinson in the full-back roles.

Kenny Tete made his long-awaited return to action against Liverpool for the last part of the game to add defensive resilience at the back as Fulham were protecting a narrow lead. Meanwhile, Andreas Pereira will keep his place ahead of Emile Smith Rowe, while Iwobi and Sessegnon will continue on the wide areas while Muniz will once again lead the line for Fulham against Bournemouth.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Sessegnon, Pereira, Iwobi; Muniz

Key Stats

• Bournemouth are winless in their last six games in the Premier League.
• Bournemouth have conceded at least two goals in their last five matches in the Premier League.
• Fulham can go up to three points off fifth-placed Aston Villa in the standings with a win.
• Fulham have one clean sheet in their last nine Premier League games.
• Evanilson has scored nine league goals this season, the most by a player in their debut top-flight campaign with Bournemouth.

Player to Watch

Evanilson

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The Brazilian striker has made a big mark since his return from a broken foot, scoring four times in his four starts since in the Premier League. He might have hoped the brace against West Ham United resulted in a win, which was not to be the case.

Evanilson will aim to continue this scoring run to help Bournemouth push for a probable European place in the remaining games of the season. He will be key for the team’s chances ahead, as the likes of Bassey and Andersen will have a field day keeping the Brazilian quiet.

Prediction

Bournemouth 1-2 Fulham

Bournemouth are not in the form they would have wanted to in the final run-in this season. There was a genuine chance for Iraola to coach this side to a big European place, realistically the Europa League. But with the level of competition above them, even qualifying for the UEFA Eiora Conference League now looks difficult but not impossible. Their current winless run will play a part in this pressure-induced clash, as they could falter again.

Fulham will come into this clash full of confidence following that stellar victory over leaders Liverpool, and Marco Silva will want another big win in the bag. The Cottagers also have the squad to maintain a strong run in the final games of the season, as they will take a win here at Bournemouth and continue their probable push for a difficult yet achievable Champions League spot.