After succeeding Julen Lopetegui as head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers and leading Bournemouth to Premier League safety in 2022–2023, Gary O’Neil, 40, will shortly be reunited with his previous team.
O’Neil’s remarkable achievements, however, only resulted in his dismissal from the ruthless Bill Foley, who has since seen his team test their mettle against a variety of continental foes during the first preseason in Ireland, where Bournemouth recorded a respectable set of results.
In addition to losses to Maccabi Tel Aviv with Atalanta BC, Bournemouth also won three games against Hibernian, Southampton, and Ligue 1 team Lorient, including a 2-0 victory over Lorient last weekend thanks to goals by David Brooks and Kieffer Moore.
Few Bournemouth supporters will need to be reminded of how the 2022–23 season began for the Cherries under Scott Parker, who was fired at the end of August despite having led the team to victory on the opening day of the season against Aston Villa.
Following three straight victories over Boreham Wood, Perth Glory, and Tottenham Hotspur, during which they scored 13 goals, David Moyes’ Europa Conference League champions were held to a 2-2 draw through Dagenham & Redbridge before being beaten by Rennes and Bayer Leverkusen.
Moyes’s team suffered a 4-1 defeat to Leverkusen thanks to goals from Robert Andrich, Jonas Hofmann, Victor Boniface, and an own goal by Thilo Kehrer after losing their last preseason game 3-1 to Ligue 1 heavyweights Rennes. As a result, speculation of a probable relegation battle is already rife.
While West Ham’s accomplishments on the international stage last season were admirable, their Premier League separate form took a turn to the worse, as they eliminated their final four top-flight games on the road. Additionally, the continued uncertainty surrounding Moyes’s future and the club’s inability to add a single new player since the beginning of July threaten to further derailed West Ham’s season plans.
West Ham’s latest Premier League trip victory, though, came at the end of April when they thrashed Bournemouth 4-0. Earlier, Moyes’ team had also won 2-0 at the London Stadium in October, stretching their winning streak over their South Coast rivals to three games.
Team News- Bournemouth
Prior to his Premier League debut, Iriola was given an unpleasant list of health worries, and the Cherries will undoubtedly be missing Ryan Fredericks, Antoine Semenyo, and Marcus Tavernier due to injuries to their calf muscles.
The Cherries manager is also skeptical about the likelihood that Adam Smith and Lloyd Kelly will be ready for the opening weekend due to muscle issues. Dominic Solanke and Ryan Christie both missed the victory over Lorient out of caution, but they should be given the all-clear to play here.
Smith, Fredericks, and Kelly all have injuries, thus Jaidon Anthony will likely open the season on Bournemouth’s right side. For the time being, Neto Moura is taking the gloves race from Inter Milan loanee Ionut Radu.
Team News- West Ham United
Although West Ham’s medical facility is vacant before the season’s opening weekend, rumours that Manchester City may be interested in midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who played 45 minutes in their defeat to Leverkusen, have shaken the visiting fan base.
While Moyes may soon introduce Harry Maguire and James Ward-Prowse into the club as his newest additions, the Hammers have managed to fend off interest in the Brazilian for the time being. As a result, there is no reason why he should not start on Saturday.
Flynn Downes and Tomas Soucek may continue to play in the middle for the time being if agreements for either player aren’t confirmed before the very beginning of the term.
Bournemouth 1-2 West Ham United
Date – 12th August, 2023
Time – 11 am GMT
Venue – Vitality Stadium
