Bournemouth will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat under Jonathan Woodgate when they welcome in-form Cardiff City to the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Cherries were unbeaten in their previous four games under Woodgate until their disappointing 2-1 loss away to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. 

Cardiff have been in sensational form under new boss Mick McCarthy. The Bluebirds are unbeaten in six games with four of them being victories. 

Coming into the game, the hosts sit in sixth position with the visitors a place behind in seventh. 

Team news 

The former Middlesbrough boss could switch up his attacking lineup for the visit of Cardiff with Sam Surridge set to return.

Dominic Solanke, Jack Stacey, David Brooks and Steve Cook have all been ruled out of the crucial game in a place for the top six. 

Arnaut Danjuma was absent at the weekend and remains doubtful ahead of Wednesday's fixture.

After yet another victory, McCarthy will once again select an unchanged starting XI on Wednesday night.

Lee Tomlin, Isaac Vassell and Jodi Osei-Tutu all remained sidelined through injury ahead of the trip to the South Coast. 

Predicted lineups

Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): 

Begovic; Smith, Mepham, Carter-Vickers, Kelly, Lerma, Cook, Billing, Brooks, Surridge, Stanislas. 

Cardiff City (5-3-2): 

Phillips; Ng, Flint, Nelson, Morrison, Bennett, Vaulks, Pack, Wilson, Murphy, Moore. 

Ones to watch

Junior Stanislas - Bournemouth

Junior Stanislas has been the star performer for the Cherries this season, with nine goals in 23 league appearances along with three assists. This season has been a transition season for the 31-year-old. He started out as a left-winger but has been utilised on the right flank as well as through the middle. His dead-ball ability could well hold the key to unlocking the Cardiff defence. 

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Kieffer Moore - Cardiff City

The striker is a constant menace to any team in the league purely because of his aerial ability. This season alone he has averaged 10.8 aerial wins per game which is just astonishing. The 28-year-old has also had one of his best goal-scoring seasons to date, contributing 14 goals and one assist for the Bluebirds. He offers more than just his goal-scoring though. His hold up play is one of the best in the league and allows the side to turn defence into attack with one long ball. 

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Previous meetings

The two sides last met back in October with both sides earning a point after goals from Harry Wilson and Solanke. The last time the teams faced off at the Vitality was in the Premier League where the home side ran out 2-0 winners. 

How to watch

Due to the current national lockdown, no fans will be in attendance at the Vitality. This means the game is available on iFollow through Bournemouth and Cardiff's respective club websites, with passes being priced at £10. 

The game is also live on Sky Sports Football.

The game kicks off at 7:45 BST on Wednesday 24 February 2021.

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