Premier League | Gameweek 31

Apr 5, 2025 at 3pm UK

London Stadium

West Ham vs Bournemouth

Match preview

Having failed to win either of their two Premier League matches in March - losing 1-0 to Newcastle before drawing 1-1 with Everton - West Ham's first game back after the international break ended in defeat as they were beaten 1-0 by Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Tuesday night.

Jorgen Strand Larsen's deflected first-half strike condemned the Hammers to their 14th league defeat of the season and they have now failed to score in 40% of their PL games under manager Graham Potter (four out of 10), compared to 20% under former boss Julen Lopetegui (four out of 20).

While Potter has admitted that "some things have gone in the right direction" since his arrival at West Ham, he ultimately left Molineux frustrated, admitting that both he and his players "have to do better" if they are to finish the season strongly and move up from their current 16th-placed position in the Premier League.

West Ham currently sit 10 points adrift of the top 10 and three of their next four Premier League games are against teams currently in the top half of the table, including Saturday's opponents Bournemouth, who have failed to win any of their last seven league meetings with the Hammers (L3 D4), drawing each of the last three.

However, West Ham have lost three of their last four home Premier League games, failing to score on each occasion. In fact, the Hammers have failed to score in six home league games this term, their most since 2018-19 (six) and just two short of their unwanted record of eight blanks in 2008-09.

Bournemouth enjoyed a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions between the end of November and the end of January, but their form has since taken a nosedive as Andoni Iraola's men have won just three of their last 10 matches, losing their last three on home soil by 2-1 scorelines.

Just three days after being knocked out of the FA Cup quarter-finals by Manchester City, the Cherries suffered a shock defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Ipswich Town on Wednesday night. Evanilson's second-half strike proved inconsequential as earlier goals from Nathan Broadhead and Liam Delap condemned the hosts to a 10th league defeat of the campaign.

Bournemouth remain in contention to secure European football for the first time in their history, but their hopes of finishing in the top five have suffered a blow as they now sit 10th in the table, six points behind fifth-placed Newcastle United, who have a game in hand.

Having played four of their last five games at home, Bournemouth will welcome the trip away from the Vitality Stadium, where they have picked up 23 Premier League points on the road this season, their most in a top-flight campaign, while their 30 goals are also their most scored away from home.

The Cherries travel to the London Stadium this weekend having failed to keep a clean sheet in seven Premier League away games against West Ham (W2 D2 L3), but have avoided defeat in all four of those games in which they have found the net (W2 D2).

Recent Performance

West Ham United Premier League form:LWWLDL

Bournemouth Premier League form:WLLDLL

Bournemouth form (all competitions):LWDLLL

Team News

West Ham are still without the injured duo of Michail Antonio (leg) and Crysencio Summerville (thigh), while Mohammed Kudus is a doubt after missing the midweek defeat with a fitness problem.

Potter may consider shaking up his attack by handing Niclas Fullkrug a start at the expense of out-of-sorts Brighton loanee Evan Ferguson, while Lucas Paqueta could be pushed further forward, which could see 19-year-old Luis Guilherme - who made his full PL debut against Wolves - lose his starting berth.

Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez will both be hoping to force their way back into the first XI, while Jean-Clair Todibo could be recalled to start at centre-back at the expense of Konstantinos Mavropanos.

For Bournemouth, Enes Unal (knee), Marcus Tavernier (ankle) and Luis Sinisterra (hamstring) remain sidelined through injury, while Justin Kluivert (undisclosed) and Julian Araujo (thigh) are both doubtful and will be assessed before kick-off.

The Cherries will be rooting for Kluivert to be available; the Dutchman has been directly involved in 14 goals in as many PL away games this season (10 goals, four assists), tied with former striker Callum Wilson (nine goals, five assists) for the most by a Bournemouth player in a top-flight season in 2018-19.

His possible absence could see Alex Scott retain his place in the number 10 role behind striker Evanilson, while Antoine Semenyo has failed to score in each of his last eight appearances for Bournemouth but is expected to continue on the left wing.

Tyler Adams could be recalled to partner Ryan Christie in midfield if Iraola opts to start Lewis Cook at right-back ahead of Adam Smith, who was withdrawn at half-time against Ipswich, while Marcos Senesi is fit and available to battle it out with Illia Zabarnyi and the in-demand Dean Huijsen for a start at centre-back.

Possible starting lineup

West Ham United possible starting lineup:

Areola; Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell; Wan-Bissaka, Alvarez, Soucek, Scarles; Paqueta, Bowen; Fullkrug

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:

Arrizabalaga; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Brooks, Scott, Semenyo; Evanilson