AFC Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers clash at the Molineux this Saturday as Andoni Iraola looks to get his Cherries side back to winning ways against his predecessor Gary O'Neil.
Iraola's side head into the fixture following back-to-back defeats against Brentford and Brighton. The Cherries have also struggled away from home, picking up just one point in the last four games on their travels.
However, the south coast side look to carry on their successful form at the Molineux, having been victorious in their last two visits to the Black Country.
On the other hand, the home side sit just one place above the bottom three in the Premier League.
Despite this, Wolves have won their last two fixtures in the league and are unbeaten in their previous four, with a 2-2 draw against Brighton among their results.
Having been dismissed from Bournemouth to make way for Iraola, O'Neil will look to gain his second win over his former side.
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Team News
Wolves
The hosts are struck with injuries as several players are currently sidelined and likely to miss this weekend's fixture.
O'Neil's side go into the fixture with a potential list of ten absentees featuring Yerson Mosquera, Pablo Sarabia and Santiago Bueno.
Craig Dawson and Sam Johnstone are absent due to illness with the pair currently being assessed for the clash, while Pedro Lima may be required to do a late fitness test following an ankle/foot injury.
Despite injury woes, the home side have plenty of strength with talents such as Rayan Aït-Nouri and João Gomes being the Wolves difference makers.
Bournemouth
Following the recent international break and a test against Brighton, Bournemouth will seemingly be without the trio of Alex Scott, Luis Sinisterra and Julián Araujo.
Scott and Sinisterra are sidelined with long-term injuries for their knee and hamstring respectively. Meanwhile, Araujo remains out following an injury picked up against Brentford which required the Mexican to undergo surgery.
Ryan Christie will be back in contention for Iraola's side after serving a ban for five accumulated yellow cards, proving a big boost for Bournemouth's midfield.
However, Bournemouth will be without their top-scorer Antoine Semenyo after the Ghanaian was booked in the 3-2 defeat to Brighton. Semenyo, like Christie, has now received five yellow cards.
The Cherries talisman will be a huge miss, the Ghanaian having scored four times and assisted once in the Premier League this season.
Additionally, Dutchman Justin Kluivert, who has provided two goals and two assists, also sits just one yellow card away from suspension.
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Likely Lineups
Wolves
Sá; Semedo, Lemina, T.Gomes, Aït-Nouri; J.Gomes, André; Bellegarde, Cunha, R.Gomes; Strand Larsen.
AFC Bournemouth
Arrizabalaga; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Ouattara, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson.
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Key Players
Wolves - Matheus Cunha
The Brazilian forward has emerged as the key man in gold for Wolverhampton Wanderers, scoring 14 times and assisting eight goals in 36 Premier League appearances last season.
Cunha has carried on his form into the 2024/25 season, netting on seven occasions and assisting three times.
The 25-year-old also goes into the Bournemouth fixture in red-hot form, scoring or assisting in all of his four last matches - scoring twice in last weekend's win, while scoring a 93rd-minute equaliser away at Brighton.
Cunha sits in behind Wolves' physical forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, providing link-up glue and threat from the 'ten' role.
Bournemouth - Milos Kerkez
The absence of Semenyo loses a substantial amount of attacking threat from this Bournemouth side and while Evanilson has been in decent form, Milos Kerkez has been the player to watch in recent weeks.
The Hungarian has two assists this season - providing Iraola's team with a flying and pacey full-back down the left side.
However, despite his attacking output, the defensive side of the 21-year-old's game has been the most impressive aspect.
Kerkez averages 4.54 recoveries, 1.16 interceptions and 0.36 blocks per 90, also winning 53.8% of his duels in the Premier League this season.
Consequently, eyeballs are now beginning to be pointed at Kerkez, with Liverpool reportedly very interested in signing the defender.
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Match Details
Where is the game being played?
The game will be hosted at the Molineux Stadium, the home of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
What time is kick-off?
The match will commence at 15:00 PM BST on Saturday, 30 November, 2024.
How can I watch?
In the UK, this fixture will not be televised due to the 3PM blackout rule.
