CHERRIES are back in action after the international break, welcoming Wolves to Vitality Stadium.
We have taken a go at predicting Andoni Iraola’s starting line-up for the fixture as the pressure ramps up on Cherries.
News that Tyler Adams will be out until at least the new year has been tempered by the fact that Iraola will have three returnees from injury available to him for today’s game.
Defenders Chris Mepham and Lloyd Kelly are both back in contention.
Summer signing Alex Scott is also back from a knee issue, having trained with the team.
Goalkeeper and defence
Neto has the full backing of his head coach and will remain in between the sticks for the foreseeable.
After consistent back fours enforced by injury, Iraola now has the opportunity to change things up in defence.
Adam Smith was drafted in at the expense of Max Aarons last time out, but the veteran’s experience did little to quell the mistakes at the back that condemned Cherries to an eighth league game without victory.
With Mepham and Kelly now available, Smith’s inclusion for his experience is not as vital. We’re opting for Aarons at right-back, with further changes in defence.
Mepham did not quite manage a clean sheet with Wales on Sunday, but was part of a commendable defensive performance.
The fact that he was touch-and-go for that game may cast doubt over his inclusion this afternoon.
Illia Zabarnyi and Marcos Senesi has proven to be a somewhat shaky pairing, but rather than a complete overhaul, we’re guessing that Kelly will partner the former at the heart of defence.
With Kelly at centre-half, that leaves only Milos Kerkez at left-back.
Scott’s return from injury adds another option in midfield, but as stated above, it feels unlikely to see the teenager from the off today.
Midfield and attack
Despite the extra options at the back, it is a similar story to prior to the international break further up the field.
A lack of options in midfield means it pretty much picks itself.
Lewis Cook will have to serve as the number six, with Ryan Christie another name well established in the starting XI.
Philip Billing has shaken off a minor knock, and will likely start.
Dominic Solanke is a cert to lead the line, with the near-weekly guessing game of the wings still as unpredictable as ever.
Marcus Tavernier believes he is the sharpest he has been in some time, and has become a regular since his return from injury.
David Brooks also played for Wales against Croatia, but did not last the full 90 minutes. He has not garnered the same favour as Tavernier with Iraola, so it is hard to see him start.
Justin Kluivert has shown flashes of quality, whilst Dango Ouattara was hooked shortly before the hour mark last time out.
