AFC Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur at Stadion.Core.ViewModels.Matchday.LocationViewModel
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Five point preview: Spurs
AFC Bournemouth host Tottenham Hotspur at Vitality Stadium this weekend in the second meeting between the sides this season.
Ahead of the game, we picked out five key points to look out for.
Mid-week defeat
Spurs will be wanting to get back to winning ways on Sunday after losing out to Juventus for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.
The two sides went into the game with it all to play for, having drawn 2-2 in Italy just a couple of weeks ago. Son Heung-Min’s opener restored confidence around Wembley, but Mauricio Pochettino’s side couldn’t hold on as second half strikes from Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala saw Juve progress.
Kane on fire
Harry Kane is currently on 24 top flight goals so far this season and has over 30 in all competitions. With eight Premier League assists to his name as well, he’s more than just a threat in front of goal.
Additionally, the striker is breaking record after record in 2017/18. His 100th Premier League strike came in the 2-2 draw at Anfield, with only Alan Shearer achieving the feat in fewer games, whilst Kane also became Spurs’ highest ever Premier League goalscorer by overtaking Teddy Sheringham in January.
Premier League form
Unbeaten in 11 Premier League games, Spurs will be formidable opponents at Vitality Stadium on Saturday. Big wins have come over both Manchester United and north-London rivals Arsenal, whilst the side also kept Liverpool at bay at Anfield in a 2-2 draw.
With just the one defeat in 15 top flight fixtures, to Premier League table-toppers Manchester City, Pochettino’s men will undoubtedly go into Sunday’s game full of confidence despite the mid-week setback.
Spurs at Vitality
Cherries fans will have fond memories of the fixture against Tottenham at Vitality Stadium last season, with the sides playing out an entertaining 0-0 draw as the visitors failed to move to the top of the Premier League.
Charlie Daniels had a close-range effort well saved by Hugo Lloris, whilst penalty claims were waved away by referee Craig Pawson, as Jack Wilshere went down in the box after a Jan Vertonghen challenge.
Injury news
Eddie Howe admitted in his pre-match press conference that three Cherries wingers could be set to miss the weekend’s tie.
Ryan Fraser and Jordon Ibe will both face late fitness tests, but the manager indicated that Marc Pugh could already be ruled out.
Matchday schedule: Spurs
AFC Bournemouth take on Tottenham Hotspur in the first home game of March for the Cherries.
With it being a Sunday game and a 4pm kick off, there are some amendments to our usual opening hours. Please arrive at the ground early at least 45 minutes before kick-off, as there will be 100% searching.
The match is also part of our International Womens’ Day celebrations with a unique programme cover, specially selected fans’ champion and plenty more happening around the ground!
10am TICKET OFFICE OPEN
Tickets for our upcoming games against Manchester United and Watford are available from the ticket office, which will also be open for 20 minutes after the game.
10am SUPERSTORE OPEN
Our Superstore will be open from 10am as it’s a Sunday, all the way until kick-off – it won’t be open after kick-off due to Sunday trading laws, it will remain open until 4pm.
There are plenty of big discounts on offer for supporters, don’t miss out on 50% off everything Umbro in the store!
There’s also big savings to celebrate International Womens’ Day, with 40% womens’ and girls’ fashionwear.
Come in store to make the most of some great discounts!
10.30am SOUTH STAND CAR PARK OPEN
Just behind the stadium, the South Stand car park is open for just £1 to all supporters.
It does tend to fill up approximately 75 minutes before kick-off and there may be delays in excess of half an hour leaving post-match. Please be aware, you can turn left out of this car park and right at the roundabout, which will bring you out via Gloucester Road in Boscombe.
Alternatively, the Sovereign Centre on Christchurch Road, which is also approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the ground, is available for matchday parking for both Saturday and week night games. Parking fees cost just £2 for 4 hours and £4 for 24 hours.
Supporters will also be able to use Harewood College for parking.
This parking facility has the advantage of being away from the congestion around Kings Park, while only a short walk to Vitality Stadium, allowing easier access.
Available from 11am, the car park will be manned by a steward until kick-off and is free to use.
We respectfully ask that all visitors keep to the 10mph and then the 5mph speed limits.
Residents have direct access to parking enforcement officers on a matchday and so to avoid any issues please respect their access.
1pm 1910 BAR OPEN
Want a drink before the game? The 1910 bar is open for home supporters and is located next to the press entrance in the Vitality Main Stand.
Supporters are required to show their home ticket on entry.
Hot food is available in the bistro section of the 1910 and bar does get busy, but below is an alternative…
1pm THE GREAT ESCAPE OPEN
Our outside bar is open for business from 1pm, with last orders at 3pm. Situated between the Thistlebarrow Road entrance and the Superstore, it’s a great place to meet friends before entering the ground for a drink and a hot snack -
The Digivan will also be live showing plenty of highlights and the latest from the club – should you need to get more food, there’s a kiosk behind the back of the Vitality North Stand for you get plenty of hot food from!
1pm RETAIL POD OPEN
Our retail pod behind the Colmar Construction Ted MacDougall South Stand is open from 1pm and you can get your home and away shirts and plenty more with our 50% off Umbro discount!
It's also open for 20 minutes after the final whistle – the Superstore however is NOT open after kick-off.
1.30pm DC LOUNGE OPEN
The DC Lounge is open to both home and away disabled supporters pre-match.
It is based on the ground floor and first floor in the Vitality East Stand for the use of disabled supporters only.
This offers Sky/BT Sport TV and a refreshment service, and a great opportunity for supporters to socialise before the match. There is a lift available for supporters using the platform and two accessible toilets. The matchday quiz is a highlight too.
2pm JUNIOR FANZONE
The Junior Fanzone is open as usual at 2pm, come along if you’re a young supporter from plenty of games and activities, including FIFA 18!
2.30pm TURNSTILES OPEN
Supporters can take their seats from 2.30pm and make the most of our pre-match combo. Choose from either a pie & pint for £5 or a pie & soft/hot drink for £4, both available up to half an hour before kick-off. The Junior Cherries meal deal remains fantastic value at just £2.50 – just show your Junior Cherries card at the food counter when ordering, and then enjoy!
Supporters who have entered the ground up to 45 minutes before kick-off will be entered into a draw to win the previous game’s man of the match signed by the player. This week, a signed Nathan Ake shirt is the prize.
3pm PRE-MATCH ENTERTAINMENT BEGINS
We’ve revamped our big screen so there’s plenty of new entertainment on offer this season.
See lots of content ahead of Spurs, the community draw and plenty more videos!
Make sure you are in your seats to see our latest Fans’ Champion place the matchball on the Premier League plinth just before kick-off.
4pm KICK-OFF
We get underway for a big game against Spurs!
Supporters are reminded that AFC Bournemouth does not tolerate any abusive or discriminatory language or behaviour and fans are encouraged to contact a steward should they witness this. Alternatively, supporters can confidentially text the support number on 07968 980580 with details.
Keep an eye out for half time too, where we’ll have our team relay!
Injury news: Wingers could miss Spurs game
AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has revealed that Jordon Ibe, Marc Pugh and Ryan Fraser could miss Sunday's match with Tottenham Hotspur.
The trio of wingers have picked up knocks and will be monitored ahead of the Vitality Stadium clash.
The manager also revealed that Jermain Defoe is in his mind for selection against his former club.
"We have a couple of concerns," he said.
"I think Marc Pugh will miss the game, but we also have problems with Jordon Ibe and Ryan Fraser.
"We'll check them close to the game, maybe we'll have a better idea on if they'll make it the day before the game.
"They are doubts before the game.
"Jermain has looked good since he's returned from his ankle injury, he made a difference in the Newcastle game and he's certainly in my mind for selection."
Media view: The lowdown on Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur have been flying of late, but their UEFA Champions League exit in midweek really caught the eyes of the nation.
Their next task is to take something against AFC Bournemouth this weekend, so we got the lowdown from ESPN’S Spurs correspondent, Dan Kilpatrick – to dissect how Spurs will approach the game and whether their defeat to Juventus will affect things on Sunday.
You can follow Dan on Twitter on his handle, @Dan_KP here.
First things first Dan, Wednesday’s result was a bitter one to take, how do you think they’ll react on the south coast?
It was a real sickner for Spurs. Being in mixed zone and speaking to the players after the game they did seem really deflated and down about it, Son said the dressing room was much quieter than usual.
So they’ll definitely be down this morning but one thing Spurs are so good at under Mauricio Pochettino is responding to setbacks and learning from defeats. The best example of them crumbling was against Chelsea in the ‘battle of Bridge’ a few years ago, aside from that they’ve put setbacks right immediately.
Last season when they were eliminated from Europe against Gent and Dele Alli was sent off, he went on an incredible scoring run and Spurs won the next six or seven games.
It’s ominous for Bournemouth, Spurs can rotate but they’ll be looking to make amends.
It might be a big task for Bournemouth, but what do Eddie Howe’s side have to do to take three points on Sunday?
This is interesting, I watch Spurs every week and I spoke to Italian journalists in Turin and at Wembley. They, along with the Juventus players said that Spurs are very weak defensively and give up chances, which is against the reputation that under Pochettino, Spurs have been strong defensively.
I think Toby Alderweireld will be on the bench at best on Sunday, Danny Rose isn’t fit and they are vulnerable to conceding a few chances – it’s key for Bournemouth not to spurn them and take opportunities when they do arise.
That’s easier said than done, but if Bournemouth play their way and press Spurs high it could yield results – teams that sit back get broken down eventually by Spurs.
There’s plenty of talent in the Spurs squad, but whos the player we should be keeping a close eye on?
Well, Harry Kane is the obvious one, but Heung-Min Son. I hate saying that player X or player Y is under rated, but he is such an exciting player.
There is a case that if he was playing for Manchester United or Liverpool, or maybe that he was English, everyone would be talking about him. Against Juventus, he could’ve been more clinical but got the goal in the end, he’s an exciting player who can beat opponents, run at defenders, score and make goals. He sets the tempo for Spurs’ attacking play.
He might be a player Bournemouth fans haven’t seen live, so I’d recommend watching him.
Prior to Wednesday’s defeat, how good was their form?
It was really, really good, they were unbeaten in 17 games between Juventus and mid-December when they lost to Manchester City. It’s been really inkeeping of what Spurs have done in the past few years.
At Christmas and late-December they pick up ahead of steam and they’ve been the strongest side in the Premier League in the second half of the last two seasons.
Just finally, what constitutes a successful season for Spurs, a place in the top four?
Most people will tell you that Spurs need to win a trophy, in the FA Cup they have Swansea City after the Bournemouth game and should they win that, technically they’d have two home games before the final.
People will say they have win that and finish fourth for it to be a good season, but I’m probably more of the view that the FA Cup doesn’t mean a lot, it’s a lot of resource against the super clubs challenging for a trophy that doesn’t change anything – it’s not going to make the difference to whether Pochettino or Kane stay.
I think a successful season would be aiming to finish second or third.
Ref watch: Dean in charge of Spurs game
Mike Dean will be the man in the middle, as the Cherries host Tottenham Hotspur at Vitality Stadium on Sunday.
The 49-year-old has taken charge of 18 top flight games this season, handing out 67 yellow cards, one red card and awarding three penalties.
However, Dean has only refereed one Cherries fixture this term, as Eddie Howe’s side were narrowly defeated 2-1 by title chasing Manchester City.
The official certainly possesses plenty of experience, having been promoted to the full list of referees in 1997, having initially started out in 1985.
Ever since, he has taken charge of one FA Cup final, one Community Shield and one EFL Cup final.
This weekend, Dean will be assisted by Ian Hussin and Simon Beck, with Graham Scott the fourth official.
Form
