West Ham United vs AFC Bournemouth
Date: 18/08/2018
K/O: 15:00pm
Venue: London Stadium
Referee: Stuart Atwell
Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham United will take on Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth this weekend at the London Stadium in match week two of the new Premier League season.
The Hammers will be hoping to bounce back after their 4-0 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool on the opening day of the season. Under Manuel Pellegrini, West Ham have had a fantastic transfer window, and their fans will be hoping that after their first game they will have learned a lot against a truly top side and be ready to pick up their first points of the season.
In contrast, the Cherries will be hoping to make it two wins from two after they neatly swept aside Cardiff 2-0 last time out. Howe will also be excited by the prospect of being able to field Bournemouth’s record signing Jefferson Lerma, who should add some more quality into the Cherries midfield.
Team News
Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping that new signing Andriy Yarmolenko has fully recovered from his hip problem and can make his first start in claret and blue.
Pellegrini will also be able to welcome deadline day signings Carlos Sanchez and Lucas Perez to the team who could push for a starting berth for the Hammers.
However, Pellegrini will be without defender Winston Reid who has no set return date after surgery on his ankle whilst midfielder Manuel Lanzini is expected to be back in January after his ACL injury. Furthermore, striker Andy Carroll is not expected back until November.
For Eddie Howe however, his squad has only gotten stronger. The Cherries have no injuries to worry about besides from Junior Stanislas who is not expected back until September. They will also be missing new signing Diego Rico who is out due to a suspension from last season.
Predicted Starting XI’s
West Ham United: Fabianski; Masuaku, Ogbonna, Balbuena, Fredericks; Noble, Wilshere, Antonio, Anderson; Yarmolenko, Arnautovic.
Bournemouth: Begovic; Smith, Cook, Ake, Daniels; Brooks, Surman, Lerma, Fraser; Wilson, King
Score Prediction: West Ham United 3 Bournemouth 1
Last season these two teams could not be split after a 3-3 draw at the Vitality Stadium and a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium in the reverse fixtures. Both teams have always produced competitive games and I’m sure it will continue into this season.
In Pellegrini’s bow at the London Stadium he will be hoping for a better showing from his team and pick up his first points as West Ham manager. Bournemouth present a considerably different challenge to Liverpool and in theory should be a much easier game then being away at Anfield. However, Bournemouth do have plenty of threats that could damage the Hammers. Especially with young David Brooks who impressed on his debut against Cardiff. West Ham should have too much for Bournemouth and will be expected to come out top of the game.
