Premier League | Gameweek 28

Mar 9, 2025 at 2pm UK

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Spurs vs Bournemouth

Match preview

After 90 minutes of continental action next Thursday evening, Ange Postecoglou may no longer be able to assert with pride that he invariably secures trophies in his second year at a given club. The Lilywhites were clearly lacking when AZ hosted them at the AFAS Stadion in the Netherlands.

Lucas Bergvall's deflected clearance looped into the far corner of the net. This gave the Eredivisie side a measure of revenge for their 1 - 0 loss to the Lilywhites during the league phase of the competition. The Lilywhites also suffered a 1 - 0 defeat in their most recent Premier League encounter.

Indeed, Erling Haaland's goal decided the high - profile Premier League clash between Spurs and Manchester City in the champions' favour. This brought Tottenham's three - game winning streak in the Premier League to an end and left them in the unfortunate 13th position in the top - flight standings.

"Unfortunate" would surely be the term Postecoglou might use to characterise his team's injury situation this season. However, in Thursday's defeat, mediocrity rather than bad luck was the determining factor. Moreover, in recent weeks, home has not been a place of success for the Lilywhites either.

The close loss to Manchester City means Tottenham have now won just one of their past nine Premier League games at home. They've lost six of those, and a defeat on Sunday would lead to them losing eight home Premier League matches in a 38 - game season for the first time.

Bournemouth, a team that has already lost seven Premier League home games this season but is aiming for their seventh away win in the top flight, are still vying for silverware this season. They showed composure from the penalty spot against Wolves in the FA Cup fifth round.

There wasn't much time for the Cherries to take advantage of Matheus Cunha's late - extra - time meltdown and subsequent red card. But Andoni Iraola saw Matt Doherty and Boubacar Traore miss their penalty kicks before the quarter - final celebrations started.

Being rewarded with a tough quarter - final clash against tournament favourites Manchester City for their progression, Bournemouth's shootout victory was an ideal pick - me - up after a slump in the Premier League. The Cherries have lost three of their last four top - flight games, including both of their last two.

Having lost to Liverpool, Wolves, and most recently Brighton & Hove Albion, Iraola's side, currently seventh, are four points behind the Champions League positions. But Justin Kluivert's consolation goal at the Amex Stadium extended their Premier League away - scoring streak to an impressive 10 games.

If Sunday's visitors maintain their good form, they could achieve their first - ever league double over Spurs. They won 1 - 0 at the Vitality Stadium in December. However, Bournemouth have lost six of their last seven Premier League away games against Tottenham.

Recent Performance

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:LLWWWL

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):LLWWLL

Bournemouth Premier League form:WWLWLL

Bournemouth form (all competitions):LWWLLW

Team News

On Thursday night, just 20 minutes into his comeback from a knee injury, Spurs' marksman and former Cherries striker Dominic Solanke was subbed off. He had taken a heavy knock in a collision with AZ goalkeeper Rome Jayden Owusu - Oduro.

Postecoglou emphasized on Friday that it was just a "knee to the backside", not a serious issue. He's hopeful Solanke will be okay to face his old club, though a starting spot seems unlikely.

Defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, who were on the bench in the Netherlands, might get some playing time. Ben Davies also can't be ruled out. However, Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Richarlison (calf), and Radu Dragusin (knee) are still sidelined.

Bournemouth will soon have a key centre - back back, but not yet. Ilya Zabarnyi is serving the third and final game of his suspension for his sending - off against Wolves in the Premier League defeat.

Zabarnyi will watch from the stands along with Enes Unal (knee), Marcos Senesi (thigh), Julian Araujo (thigh), and Adam Smith (calf). But in his pre - game press conference, Iraola didn't rule out Ryan Christie (groin).

The Cherries should have a squad similar to the one that won the cup against Wolves. Kluivert is likely to return to the starting XI as he aims to add to his excellent record of 10 Premier League goals away from home this season.

Possible starting lineup

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Gray, Danso, Spence; Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Son, Odobert

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:

Kepa; Cook, Hill, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson