Spotlight on... AFC Bournemouth

We head to AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League on Thursday evening (6pm kick-off).

This game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and on the free-to-air channel, Pick (Freeview channel 11).

Team news

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe will have Callum Wilson back at his disposal after the striker completed a two-match ban. Defender Steve Cook may also return to action after he missed the Cherries’ recent trip to Manchester United with a hamstring strain.

Bournemouth’s form

It has been a tough return to action for Bournemouth since June’s resumption of the Premier League season. Having faced four fixtures so far, the Cherries have suffered defeat in each of their outings. Losses at home to both Crystal Palace (0-2) and Newcastle United (1-4) came either side of a 1-0 reverse on the road at Wolves while, last time out, they were on the receiving end of a 5-2 defeat by Manchester United. Howe’s side currently sit second-bottom in the league table, four points from safety, with their last victory having come at the start of February - a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.

One to watch

The Cherries’ star man in that win over Villa was Philip Billing – their imposing, tough tackling Danish midfielder. Signed from Huddersfield Town in the summer of 2018, Billing helps to provide the protection for the Bournemouth defence from the centre of the park - his 6'4" frame making him a fierce competitor in the air while his reading of the game makes him one of the standout players in the Premier League in terms of interceptions.

Last five meetings

30 November, 2019 – Spurs 3-2 Bournemouth – Premier League
4 May, 2019 – Bournemouth 1-0 Spurs – Premier League
26 December, 2018 – Spurs 5-0 Bournemouth – Premier League
11 March, 2018 – Bournemouth 1-4 Spurs – Premier League
14 October, 2017 – Spurs 1-0 Bournemouth – Premier League

Played for both

Sixth in our all-time goalscoring charts with 143 goals in 363 appearances, Jermain Defoe knew how much it meant to play for Spurs. During his nine years with us, split over two spells, Jermain played with his heart on his sleeve and delighted fans at White Hart Lane with his instinctive finishing and pure enthusiasm for the game.

It was during his early days on loan at Bournemouth where, at the age of just 18, his goalscoring ability first caught the eye as he scored 18 goals in just 29 appearances for the then-League Two outfit. And that was a sign of things to come for the talented marksman as goals followed wherever he went. West Ham, Spurs, Portsmouth, Spurs again, Toronto, Sunderland, back to Bournemouth, Rangers – ‘JD’ has been prolific with every club he has represented.

Now 37, the striker has scored over 300 goals in his career, including 20 in 57 caps for England, and there looks to be no stopping him either, as in his current employment at Ibrox, he is averaging a goal nearly every other game.

Quick quiz on Bournemouth

1. Who scored a brace against Bournemouth in our 3-2 triumph over the Cherries in November?

• Heung-Min Son
• Harry Kane
• Dele Alli

2. Who scored our third goal in that 3-2 win over Bournemouth back in November and, in doing so, fired home his first goal for the Club in over two years?

• Serge Aurier
• Moussa Sissoko
• Toby Alderweireld

3. Prior to Bournemouth’s promotion to the Premier League in 2015, we had only faced the Dorset outfit once in our history – in which year did that meeting happen?

• 1957
• 1967
• 1977

4. Harry Kane is our top scorer against Bournemouth in the Premier League – how many goals does our number 10 have against the Cherries in his career to date?

• 5
• 7
• 9

5. In our nine Premier League clashes with Bournemouth so far, how many have seen us emerge victorious?

• 5
• 6
• 7

Match data

Venue – Vitality Stadium.

Opposition colours – Red and black striped shirts, black shorts, black socks.

Referee – Paul Tierney.

Weather – Cloudy, 18 degrees.

Quiz answers: 1 – Dele Alli; 2 – Moussa Sissoko; 3 – 1957; 4 – 7; 5 – 7.