With AFC Bournemouth establishing themselves as a Premier League regular since their promotion in 2015, many have forgotten that they were in League Two just ten years ago. Their rise to the Premier League has been incredible, and something which many don’t think about when analysing their current position. Despite this, The Cherries are currently in a relegation scrap, with an important run of fixtures coming up.
Bournemouth’s Fight for Premier League Survival Faces Important Period
Current Position
Bournemouth are not having a good season. Since a ninth-place finish in 2016/17, their league position has been in decline. The Cherries currently sit in 18th, but if results go their way this weekend, they could see themselves move out of the relegation zone and rise to 15th. They are currently in a period where consistency, something they have struggled with this season, is critical as many teams around them face the possibility of slip-ups.
Form So Far This Season
Bournemouth have struggled with their form more recently. They started out the season extremely strong, sitting in seventh place after 11 games. However, a poor run throughout November and December left them 19th following match week 22. The Cherries have not recovered either, with just two Premier League wins since beating Manchester United at the beginning of November, and only one in their eight league matches of 2020. There are, however, still positives to be drawn from the season so far.
Bournemouth Gaining Points Against Big Teams
Bournemouth, despite their shaky form, have played well against the big teams. Having played Chelsea twice in league fixtures this season, The Cherries have not lost, and they have also gotten points against teams like Manchester United, Arsenal and Sheffield United. They will hope that their recent draw with the blues will be enough to spark some form of a comeback in this tight battle for Premier League survival.
Critical Upcoming Fixtures
In the near future, Bournemouth have a fantastic chance to make their way back up the table. While it may look near impossible, they first face an uncharacteristically out of form Liverpool side. The Reds have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions, and have not looked commanding as of late.
Following this, Eddie Howe’s men face Crystal Palace, who are also in a rut of bad form. An ever difficult trip to Molineux to play Wolves comes next, and then fellow relegation battlers Newcastle. While beating bottom half opposition is important, the Cherries have a real opportunity to capitalize on other teams who may ordinarily be a tough challenge after this.
Bournemouth will then face Manchester United, who they have already beaten this season and who struggle against lesser opposition, and then Tottenham Hotspur, who may still be without top-scoring duo Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. If Bournemouth can manage to make the most of this vital period of their season, they may be able to launch themselves up the table, and even finish in a very respectable position. This seems very possible owing to how close the bottom of the table is, and anything can happen.
Main Photo:
