da betway： Recent wins over Southampton and Newcastle United have put some much needed breathing space between Bournemouth and the treacherous waters of a relegation battle.
da dobrowin： Currently occupying 14th position and 11 points off Norwich City in 18th, the Cherries look all but certain to have defied logic and remain in the top flight for another season.
The decision to splash the cash in January seems as if it has paid off massively at the Vitality Stadium. While it has not all been plain sailing for £12m marksman Benik Afobe, the former Wolves man has scored some crucial goals to keep his side’s head above water. Though anything can happen, especially in a season that has bucked so many trends, the South Coast underdogs have surely done enough.
Still, there’s a lot to play for with some crucial games left. The plaudits will no doubt roll in for manager Eddie Howe at the end of the season, though his side will not rest on their laurels until they reached the magical 40 points mark. We can wax poetic about the manner in which they have attained Premier League survival once it is mathematically assured.
So, without further ado, here’s a closer examination of their run in between now and the end of the season. Here we have it, here are FIVE fixtures that will make or break Bournemouth’s survival chances.
VS SWANSEA CITY (HOME) – 12TH MARCH
Much like the Cherries, Swansea appear to have clawed their way out of the relegation battle that currently engulfs Newcastle, Sunderland and Norwich City.
While all is not secured just yet, the decisive action both clubs took as 2015 became 2016 looks to have kept them in the top flight.
To truly consolidate themselves, Howe’s side must pick up a victory against the travelling Swans this weekend. There are few winnable home games left between now and the end of the season, as Liverpool and Manchester City are due to visit the South Coast.
Beating the teams around you is crucial, that much is obvious. However, a victory would take the home side within just two points of the crucial 40 points mark.
While a loss would not instantly drag them back into the scrap, the standard of opposition they must play after makes it a crucial tie.
VS MANCHESTER CITY (HOME) – 2ND APRIL
On paper, the hugely expensive Manchester City should steamroll this Bournemouth side when they visit the Vitality as April begins in earnest.
Clearly, many would make the visitors favourites for this game. Should City click into slick gear as they have done before, it’s hard to see the Cherries, no matter how resolute they play, matching up.
However, their away form has been pretty dire all season. If the Cherries can capitalise on that fact and add the Manchester giants to their list of scalps this season, it will be yet another highlight on their way to Premier League survival.
Their quick, skilful style of play can really get at a City side who often look slow and cumbersome, particularly in defence.
VS ASTON VILLA (AWAY) 9TH APRIL
Many a manager, no matter how terrible a position their opposition may be in, will stress that there are simply no easy games at Premier League level.
That may have been true, even of this Aston Villa side, while the players were still fighting. Despite being rooted to the foot of the table for swathes of the season, the doomed Midlands giants managed to take points off the likes of Southampton, Newcastle and Norwich City.
However, any sort of fight within their ranks has been drained out of the club. Truly a shame for one of English football’s greatest institutes, though little of their history will matter when Bournemouth visit Villa Park.
Put simply, this is the easiest three points the Cherries can hope for between now and the end of the season. Their dynamic style of play and ferocious team spirit are two things the Villains have not had in years.
VS EVERTON (AWAY) – 30TH APRIL
When Everton and Bournemouth last met in the Premier League, they produced one of the most entertaining games of this hugely exciting campaign.
A pulsating 3-3 draw that summed up the Cherries as a wonderfully fragmented side that, despite their flaws, worked their socks off.
That resulted served as a catalyst after a frustrating slump in form back in November as Howe went on to mastermind famous wins over Manchester United and Chelsea.
The Toffees, a lot like Bournemouth themselves, are a fantastic side to watch in full flow, though tend to leave gaps in their rearguard. It promises to be a mouth-watering affair at Goodison Park and affords the visitors the chance to test a leaky backline.
VS MANCHESTER UNITED (AWAY) – 15TH MAY
Considering their current standing, it would take an utter capitulation now for the last game of the season to decide Bournemouth’s fate.
Instead, it will more than likely be a heroic send off from their support after a successful campaign ahead of another season in the top flight.
What better way to do that than against Manchester United?
The South Coast underdogs famously beat the titans of English football (well, you know what we mean) on their way to attaining survival.
With the pressure off, Howe can allow his expansive style of play to be on full show at the Theatre of Dreams. With United struggling to deal with pace and power, it could be exactly the sort of game plan to yield another victory over the Red Devils.
What a way it would be to round off a largely stellar season on the South Coast.