AFC Bournemouth vs West Ham Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

This fixture doesn’t have a grand history of goals with no more than two landing in four of the last five meetings between the sides however based on the current form of the two teams, that could be about to change.

Bournemouth are brimming with confidence with three wins from three and have seen over 2.5 goals land in five of their last six matches. West Ham, meanwhile, have seen over 2.5 land in seven of their last eight. The Hammers have just two clean sheets in their last 14 in all competitions, taking them back to the end of August when they beat Monday’s opponents 1-0 in the Carabao Cup.

The Hammers don’t have a particularly good record at the Vitality Stadium either with just two wins in seven visits since the Cherries first came up to the Premier League whilst they have just one win from their last seven away games in all competitions making this look more likely to go the way of the hosts. Bournemouth 3-2 West Ham

Bournemouth are looking for a fourth straight win when they host West Ham, whilst the visitors are looking to put two wins together in the Premier League for the first time this season.

Date: 16/12/2024

Kick Off Time: 20:00

Location: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth

Bournemouth’s continued rise under manager Andoni Iraola is gathering pace with their current winning streak placing them just three points off the top four going into this matchday. Whilst Champions League football might be a target too far, European football of some variety could certainly be attainable for the Cherries this campaign.

A notably impressive aspect of Bournemouth’s recent results has been the breadth of goal scoring options they have in the side. Eight different goalscorers have netted in their last six games, with 12 goals scored during that period. Having lost their top scorer in Dominic Solanke in the summer, plenty of players are stepping up in his absence which eases the pressure on any one individual.

It shouldn’t come as a huge surprise though. The Cherries are one of the best sides in the league at generating quality chances, ranking joint 4th for ‘Big Chances Created’ and second for expected goals. Iraola’s side have taken some big scalps at home already this campaign as well. Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham have all tasted defeat at the Vitality Stadium, so it is proving a tricky ground for sides to take points from.

West Ham will be hoping to cause an upset though and continue their Monday night run when they travel to the south coast. The Hammers’ only wins in their last six came away to Newcastle and last time out at home to Wolves, both of which took place on a Monday evening. With the start to life at West Ham proving difficult for Julen Lopetegui, he’ll be looking for any good omen that he can latch onto.

The Hammers have recently started showing some offensive traits that point to signs of progression, with their 2-0 win at Newcastle at the end of November a particular highlight. The combination play at time was excellent in that game and since then, Lopetegui’s men have scored two against both Arsenal and Wolves and one past Leicester. Even in the game against the Foxes, they amassed an xG of 3.1 so really could and should have scored more.

West Ham’s issue is keeping them out of the other end. Nine goals conceded in their last three shows how open they have been and they have conceded three of more goals in seven games already this season in all competitions.

The Game Is Available To Watch on Sky Sports in the UK

Marcos Senesi and Tyler Adams could both be available for this game with Senesi yet to feature in December and Adams missing the win over Ipswich.

West Ham have no fresh injury concerns after their last game with Wolves.

Bournemouth’s start to the season was patchy, but they have recently been in good form with five wins in their last eight, including victories over Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham. They did have a blip in the middle of that run with two defeats on the bounce against Brentford and Brighton but have won all of the following three since then.

West Ham have failed to string two wins together in the Premier League this season, highlighting their inconsistency. Lopetegui got one over his former employers when West Ham beat Wolves last time out and impressive wins over Manchester United and Newcastle in their last seven have kept them out of trouble considering they lost to Nottingham Forest, Arsenal and Leicester as well as drawing 0-0 with Everton in that period.

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