Premier League: Bournemouth vs Leeds Utd match preview, tips and predictions
Ahead of the biggest game in a generation at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, Leeds United still have league business to attend to, as they take on Bournemouth on Wednesday night, hoping to make it three league wins on the spin for the Yorkshire outfit.
Sports News Blitz’s Charlie Fawcett provides all of the essential info ahead of Leeds Utd’s trip to the South Coast.
Match preview
In a game where both sides still clearly have plenty to play for, Leeds travel to Bournemouth with one eye on their FA Cup semi-final against a wounded Chelsea.
However, they will still be desperate to keep their six-game unbeaten streak (in all competitions) going.
Leeds arrive at the Vitality with an eight-point gap to the bottom three, and should they pick up another victory, they will skyrocket themselves towards safety with an 11-point gap with just four games remaining to be played.
As for the hosts, the Cherries can put themselves in 6th place with a victory tonight, meaning their hopes of European football will still be very much alive, as they give themselves a head start over the sides around them who will play this weekend.
As for fitness updates, Daniel Farke has confirmed that Leeds will be missing one of their most vital players for Wednesday’s encounter.
After sustaining an ankle ligament injury against West Ham at the start of the month, Anton Stach will be out of action for a while longer.
Farke suggested it was “realistic to expect him back only in May”, meaning the Whites will have to go on without the German midfielder for at least their next two fixtures.
Betting tips
Under 2.5 goals - The game should be a cagey affair, which is usually the case when Bournemouth are in action - prior to the international break three out of four games in a streak were all 0-0 draws, with the other being a 1-1.
Noah Okafor to score or assist - The Swiss winger has been on a hot streak since returning from injury, capped off with a brace at Old Trafford in Leeds’ last away game.
Double chance: Leeds or draw - The clubs have only met a handful of times in their history, however Bournemouth have only won twice in their past nine meetings, so history suggests it may be a night where the underdog prospers.
Gabriel Gudmondsson 2+ fouls - Fouls are a common occurrence for the Leeds full-backs, and I suspect that we will see the same again given Bournemouth’s strength out wide. Gudmondsson is known for picking up a card, however, I would tend to opt for the fouls market.
Bet Builder price: 35/1
Score prediction: 1-1 draw
