Prediction: Bournemouth vs Swansea

Verdict: Bournemouth win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to extend on their FA Cup adventure on Thursday night, Bournemouth will welcome Swansea to the Vitality.

Bournemouth

Starting with the hosts, slumping to a 4-0 drumming at home against title contenders Liverpool last weekend, Bournemouth will be seeking an immediate response here. While the Cherries might have suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats, Andoni Iraola’s men have continued to receive a string of plaudits. Skyrocketing up the table and with their sights set on securing a stellar top-half finish, the former Rayo Vallecano boss has seen his squad lose just a pair of their previous 10 domestic appearances across all competitions. With that extended purple patch stemming all the way back to November 4th, Bournemouth will also be excited by their most recent showdown against Thursday’s guests. Extending on their EFL Cup adventure back on August 29th as they clinched an action-packed 3-2 victory at the Liberty, Iraola’s side should be smelling a golden opportunity on the south coast.

Team News

Featuring for Burkina Faso at this month’s Africa Cup of Nations, Bournemouth will once again be unable to call upon 21-year-old attacker Dango Ouattara on Thursday night. Likewise, all still dealing with respective injury issues, the Cherries will also be without the services of Tyler Adams, Ryan Fredricks and Adam Smith.

However, after serving a one-match ban against Liverpool last weekend, defensive talisman Marcos Senesi should make a full return here. Continuing to shine this season and already notching 12 Premier League strikes, Dominic Solanke will spearhead Bournemouth’s charge at the Vitality.

Swansea

As for the visitors, almost sat in Championship limbo, Swansea have continued to struggle with their consistency this season. Eventually suffering a 3-1 drumming at home against Southampton last weekend, Luke Williams’ side have won just a trio of their previous nine appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to December 9th. Although the Swans might have extended on their FA Cup adventure earlier in the month as they secured a 2-0 victory at home against League Two outfit Morecambe, the former MK Dons boss will have a mounting headache over his side’s continued issues on the road. Including a 5-0 drumming when they travelled to Southampton on Boxing Day, Swansea have recorded just a single win from their last seven showdowns away from the Liberty. With just a single Championship clean sheet to their name since the start of November, Williams’ side should be bracing themselves for a tough challenge here.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Swansea will travel to the Vitality on Thursday night without the trio of Azeem Abdulai, Josh Ginnelly and former Exeter midfielder Josh Key. However, returning from a long-term muscle injury last weekend, Newcastle loanee Harrison Ashby should keep his role at right-back.

Arriving at the Liberty on a short-term deal last month, former Crystal Palace ace Yannick Bolasie could be handed a full recall on Thursday night. Although Jamal Lowe might have bagged just six Championship strikes in his 23 appearances this season, the Jamaica international should spearhead Swansea’s charge here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Bournemouth and Swansea last met on August 29th while on EFL Cup duties, the Cherries picked up a 3-2 victory in south Wales.
• Bournemouth have lost just a pair of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions.
• Swansea have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous seven appearances away from the Liberty.
• Likewise, the Swans have recorded just a single Championship clean sheet since the start of November.
• Eight of Bournemouth’s last nine appearances across all formats have finished with over 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Hit with a 4-0 drumming against Liverpool over the weekend, Bournemouth are certainly seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, losing just a pair of their previous 10 appearances across all fronts, Thursday’s hosts should be smelling a golden FA Cup opportunity on home soil. Landing an action-packed 3-2 victory when they travelled to the Liberty while on EFL Cup duties back on August 29th, the Cherries will be looking to cash in on a Swansea squad that have continued to show some glaring issues on the road. With just a single victory outside of south Wales since the end of October, we are backing an enjoyable home win in midweek.

Verdict: Bournemouth win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Dachbet