The Cherries are back under the lights this evening at Vitality Stadium as they host Manchester United in the Premier League.
Ahead of tonight’s game, here are our talking points and what manager Andoni Iraola had to say about them.
-Unbeaten run
The Cherries are currently unbeaten in ten games however are going through a patch of drawing games. In just the last four games Bournemouth have drawn 1-1 once and 0-0 three times, making them the Premier League team with the most 0-0 draws this season (5).
Iraola said: “I think the last games have been a little bit different. Over the season, there has been quite a lot of goals in our games, and I expect quite an open game. It’s going to be a different game [to the 4-4], they’ve been the best team in the Premier League in the last months, but we are also coming in a good run and I hope we can give them a good run.”
-Carrick influence
United are in strong form themselves since Michael Carrick took over as interim manager, with just one loss in nine games and sit third in the Premier League table.
Iraola said: “They are doing very well and it’s not just the results that this is evident. They are being more solid [defensively] while still having the same threat offensively.
“I don’t know Carrick personally, but I like how he speaks, how he behaves, how he makes everything about the team and team is playing very well. Everything looks fantastic, but we have the problem that we have to face them.”
-International duties
January signing, Rayan, has been called up for the Brazil national squad for the first time in his young career. Brazil manager, Carlo Ancelotti, may give Rayan his first taste of senior international football as they face France and Croatia in friendly matches over this international break.
Iraola said: “I think this step is kind of a confirmation of everything that he was doing in Brazil and the fact he can replicate it in the Premier League. I hope he uses his time to learn a lot because he has Carlo Ancelotti as a manager and very good teammates, so the more things he can learn in these two weeks, the better for him and also us as a club.”
-Goalkeepers on top
As Iraola is predicting tonight’s game to be open, and just the eight goals in this fixture back in December, Djordje Petrovic will need to continue his strong form to give the Cherries the best chance of a win.
Iraola said: “I think goalkeeper is such an important position in football. This good run of games defensively from the team, but especially from Petrovic, not just saving shots, but the feeling he is giving us at the end of the day is a reason we haven’t lost in ten games.”
The game kicks off at Vitality Stadium this evening at 8pm with the game available to watch on Sky Sports.