Prediction: Bournemouth vs Norwich

Verdict: Bournemouth

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: bet365

Bournemouth play host to Norwich in the League Cup on Tuesday looking to extend their fine run of form and progress into the quarter-finals of the competition.

Bournemouth

Callum Wilson scored a brace for Bournemouth and David Brooks also got his name on the scoresheet this weekend as the Cherries added to Fulham woes with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Craven Cottage. Bournemouth maintained their fine start to the season with their sixth win in ten rounds and will now look to extend the run as they shift their focus to League Cup.

Eddie Howe’s men beat Milton Keynes Dons (3-0) and Blackburn (3-2) in previous rounds of the competition to set up a meeting with the Championship side Norwich and will be bursting with confidence heading into the fixture. The Cherries have a fine opportunity to extend their unbeaten home patch which now stretches to eight matches on the trot and with team’s top striker Joshua King expected to return after missing the Fulham trip, there is a good chance Howe’s men will come out on top from this one.

Team News

 Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe will have no selection issues to worry about and will have a full crop of players at his disposal.

Team’s top goal scorer Joshua King could be in line for a return whereas the Cherries boss is likely to ring some changes to his starting XI.

Norwich

The Canaries are enjoying a similarly successful stretch of late and will travel to Dean Court in high spirits. The Championship side has only lost once in all competitions since August and has won three consecutive matches coming into this game.

The atmosphere is great within the Norwich camp and Daniel Farke will look to capitalize on it as the Canaries have their eyes on the quarter-finals. They managed to beat Wycombe 4-3 in the last round, whereas Norwich managed to outrun Cardiff 3-1 in the round before that. The Canaries are now hoping another Premier League scalp could be in for the taking. The fact Norwich are unbeaten in their last seven matches on the road gives them plenty of reason to feel optimistic. The situation within the squad could be a problem, though, knowing that Daniel Farke will be without no less than seven players for this game.

Team News

Hanley, McLean, Morris, Pukki and Thompson are all confirmed absentees due to their respective injuries.

Matt Jarvis and Aston Oxborough are doubtful knowing they are struggling with a knee problem and a head injury, respectively.

Key Factors to Consider

• Bournemouth are without a defeat in last eight home matches in all competitions
• Norwich have yet to suffer a defeat in their last seven matches on the road
• Bournemouth managed to keep a clean sheet in their last three games
• Norwich kept a clean sheet in only one of their last 17 away games
• Visitors will be without up to seven first-team players for the game

Conclusion

Both Bournemouth and Norwich are currently going through a purple patch but there are nuances separating the two sides at the moment that could play an important role in determining the winner. Visitors have selection problems and this could be all the difference in the world.

Verdict: Bournemouth

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: bet365