MX23RW : Friday, May 31 14:34:14| >> :600:105411:105411:
[monks data]
Bournemouth logo
Championship
Apr 18, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Sheffield Wednesday logo

2-2

Kermorgant (69'), Ritchie (84')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Lee (36'), Maguire (95' pen.)

Preview: Bournemouth vs. Sheffield Wednesday

Sports Mole previews the Championship fixture between leaders Bournemouth and Sheffield Wednesday.

Bournemouth head into Saturday's match with Sheffield Wednesday knowing that they are just three wins away from their first appearance in the Premier League.

The Owls make the long trip to the South Coast with little to play for, but they showed against Brentford in midweek that they have no intention of lying down to the league's best teams.



Bournemouth

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe during the Pre Season Friendly match between AFC Bournemouth and Southampton at The Goldsands Stadium on July 25, 2014© Getty Images

Despite featuring high up in the Championship table for the majority of the season, Bournemouth's rise to prominence probably still seems a dream to their supporters, but after a 10-game unbeaten run, their dream could turn to reality in two weeks' time.

Their advantage over the chasing pack may be slender, but Bournemouth are three victories away from promotion to the promised land, something that was once considered unrealistic to anyone not involved with the Cherries.

However, the belief generated from an untouchable team spirit at the Goldsands Stadium has been infectious and it's going to take a major upset from either Wednesday, Bolton Wanderers or Charlton Athletic to deny the current leaders.

A few eyebrows were raised when Callum Wilson opted for Bournemouth rather than one of the more established teams in the division, but so far, his decision has been justified and it's his contribution that has played the biggest part to the team's success.

The 22-year-old has scored 19 times in 42 league games, and while he has been given a helping hand by the likes of Yann Kermorgant and Brett Pitman, the club have relied on his pace, strength and finishing for much of the season.

The defence has also weighed in by conceding just six goals since February 28, and if Eddie Howe's men can strike the right balance for a 25th time this weekend, they will be just 180 minutes away from a quite incredible achievement.

Recent form: DWDWWW



Sheffield Wednesday

Stuart Gray, the Sheffield Wednesday manager, looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium on August 30, 2014© Getty Images

By their usual standards, this season has been a quiet one for Sheffield Wednesday, and although they once had faint hopes of challenging for a playoff spot, you won't find too many complaints at Hillsborough.

The Owls are currently on course for their best league finish since they earned 12th spot in 2009. They are still some way short of where they want to be, but under Stuart Gray, they have achieved stability and a platform to move forward next year.

Their recent form hasn't been anything to shout about, but they've only suffered defeat against teams above them in the standings, while they recorded a surprise 1-0 win over Brentford on Tuesday night.

With Leeds United and Watford to follow, the Yorkshire club have a tricky end to the season but their performance and clean sheet against the Bees will boost morale ahead of what is ultimately a testing trip to the form team in the division.

Wednesday's away record of 32 points from 21 games will be of encouragement to Gray, but the former Southampton chief will know that he needs more goals out of his team with Atdhe Nuhiu the only player to get into double figures.

However, his return of three in 17 games has seen him relegated to the bench, and January signing Sergiu Bus could be given responsibility to try to add to his current tally of one goal in seven matches.

Recent form: LWDLDW



Team News

Dan Gosling of AFC Bournemouth in action during the Capital One Cup Second Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Northampton Town at Goldsands Stadium on August 26, 2014 © Getty Images

Bournemouth trio Dan Gosling, Eunan O'Kane, and Tokelo Rantie all featured for the club's development squad on Thursday, but none are expected to break into the starting lineup for Saturday's game.

Howe could name an unchanged XI, with on-loan striker Kenwyne Jones having to remain patient for his chance from the start.

Owls boss Gray has doubts over both Sam Hutchinson and Lewis McGugan, with both players being given time to prove their fitness after suffering with a virus.

Chris Maguire and Sergio Bus both made appearances off the bench in midweek and could be involved.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Arter, Surman, Pugh, Kermorgant, Wilson

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Westwood, Buxton, Lees, Zayatte, Helan, Lee, Melo Silva, McGugan, Maguire, Lavery, Bus



Head To Head

The history between Bournemouth and Sheffield Wednesday only began in 2003, but since their first meeting, it's Bournemouth who hold the upper hand.

Bournemouth have won in six of the 11 meetings between the two teams, with Wednesday prevailing just twice, and it was the Cherries who emerged victorious at Hillsborough earlier in the campaign.

Second-half goals from Andrew Surman and Ryan Fraser did the damage as Bournemouth recorded their sixth success in a row.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Bournemouth 3-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday will believe that they can travel to Bournemouth and cause a major dent in their promotion chase, but the home side are a collective unit and it will take a big effort from the Owls just to record a point at the Goldsands Stadium.



ID:217471: cacheID:217471:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:10572:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouh at The Amex Stadium on January 01, 2014
Read Next:
Preview: Brighton vs. Bournemouth
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!