- L
- /
- W
- /
- W
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- L
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- W
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- Position
- 12th
- Played
- 38
- Points
- 44
- L
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- L
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- W
- /
- L
- /
- W
- /
- Position
- 16th
- Played
- 38
- Points
- 37
Five point preview: Huddersfield
This weekend, AFC Bournemouth welcome newly promoted Huddersfield Town to Vitality Stadium for the first Premier League clash between the two sides.
Here's a preview of five points to look out for ahead of the game.
Adapting to Premier League life…
Huddersfield have had a better than expected start to the season, however results have been far from consistent for the Terries.
Four wins, three draws and five losses leave David Wagner’s side tenth on 15 points and above the likes of Everton, West Bromwich Albion and former Premier League champions Leicester City.
Additionally, the club can take pride from defeating football giants Manchester United at the John Smith’s Stadium earlier in the season, as goals from Aaron Mooy and Laurent Depoitre sealed a 2-1 win.
Away form this season…
So far, Huddersfield’s away form has been patchy, failing to score a league goal on the road since their opening day win at Crystal Palace.
And whilst three flew in past Wayne Hennessey that day, Wagner’s side have picked up just one further point away from the John Smith’s Stadium to date, recording a 0-0 draw with Burnley.
A 2-0 loss at West Ham United, followed by conceding three at Anfield didn’t do much for confidence, but the Terries will be hoping to turn their fortunes around this weekend.
One to watch…
Aaron Mooy has been making all the Huddersfield headlines this season, coming up with some crucial goals for the Terries.
The Australian, who signed for the club in the summer, netted the winner against Newcastle and Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United, making for a memorable afternoon for Huddersfield fans.
The 27-year-old has played a part in all 11 of the side’s Premier League encounters this season and will be buoyed after featuring for Australia earlier in the week, as they reached the World Cup Finals.
The boss…
Known for many years as Jurgen Klopp’s assistant, after joining Borussia Dortmund in 2011, former professional footballer Wagner has made quite a name for himself since going solo.
It was the summer of 2016 that saw the German really excel, signing 13 players from across the continent and enjoying enjoy season wins against the likes of Newcastle. Their form continue for the remainder of the season, ultimately finishing fifth and narrowly gaining promotion after a dramatic penalty shoot out in the play-off final.
Now in the Premier League, and with a new two-year deal to his name, Wagner continues to work his magic with the Terriers who lie tenth in the Premier League.
50th meeting between the sides…
AFC Bournemouth and Huddersfield Town will be meeting for the 50th time on Saturday, yet it will be just the first fixture between the sides in the Premier League.
History shows that Wagner’s side have the better record with 18 wins, whilst the Cherries have only been victorious on 13 occasions.
Nevertheless, the Yorkshire outfit have won just one out of the last ten meetings between the sides, with the Cherries running out 4-0 winners last time around.
Injury news: Late decision on King
AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe revealed that a late call will be made on Joshua King ahead of the Huddersfield Town game.
The boss gave an update on the squad: "Junior Stanislas won’t make the game, it’s too early for him.
"Benik Afobe is back in contention after an injury, but there will be a late call on Joshua King. He missed international duty and hasn’t trained this week so it will be a late decision for him.
"Apart from that we’re as we were."
Callum Wilson has returned from injury in recent weeks and the boss is pleased with the progress he has made in his first team appearances since coming back.
"Well he’s at full fitness and ready to play," Howe continued.
"Callum has had a couple of serious injuries and it takes time to get back to your absolute best. He showed against Newcastle that he is physically good, he pressed and harried late in the game, looked strong and remained a goal threat. We’re really pleased with him."
Howe unsurprised by Huddersfield's strong start
On Huddersfield's impressive top-flight start
I'm not surprised, when you looked at them last season you could see they are a tough team to play against. They've not changed much this year and their management deserve a lot of credit for that.
There are similarities between the two clubs, they've taken their mindset into the Premier League and we tried to do that too, though it is difficult.
The challenge for us is to go head-to-head with them and hopefully come out on top.
Their style of play is their strength and we will have to face up against that. It's a dangerous game, any team in the Premier League deserves huge respect and we give each team the same amount of preparation time.
The players have been well briefed and are well organised, ready for the challenge they face tomorrow.
On the Terriers' lack of goals away from home
I don't read anything into that. I remember watching them on the first day at Crystal Palace and they were hugely impressive. The fact they haven't scored is just one of those things.
They get bodies forwards and look to score goals so I don't read too much into that statistic.
On players returning from international duty
Some of the lads have been away and those of us who remained worked very hard here. We reconvened as a group here yesterday and we feel very good.
Behind the scenes we have worked and pushed the players to get to our best form and we felt we are getting there.
My method is that when you're not doing well you have to work hard to find what's missing and if you are doing well you need to work hard to push even further, there's no escape from hard work.
Eddie Howe watches on during training.
Dan Gosling looking focused as the players warm up.
Asmir Begovic is all smiles during the session.
Simon Francis goes up for a header with Steve Fletcher.
Steve Cook in good spirits ahead of this weekend's clash with Huddersfield.
Charlie Daniels prepares for the weekend.
Adam Smith gears up for the session.
Callum Wilson being put through his paces by Dan Hodges, Head of Sport Science.
Simon Weatherstone gets in the middle of the action.
Andrew Surman with eyes on the ball.
Jordon Ibe dribbling around a mannequin during training.
Lewis Cook back in training after his recent call up to the England senior squad.
The players prepare for the weekend with a group drill.
Ref watch: Probert in the middle
Lee Probert will be the man in charge of AFC Bournemouth’s home clash with Huddersfield Town this weekend.
The official has refereed one other Cherries match this season, last month’s away win over Stoke City.
Besides that, Probert has refereed three other top flight games and 11 games in total across league and cup this season.
He’s dished out 16 yellow cards and two reds, those two red cards came in the same game – the opening day of the EFL season as Portsmouth beat Rochdale.
Probert was promoted to the panel of select group referees in 2007 and in 2014 he took charge of the FA Cup final.
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