Opposition watch | Who is firing for in-form Bournemouth?

We draw the curtain on 2023 with the visit of Andoni Iraola's in-form Bournemouth to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League on New Year's Eve (Sunday, 2pm UK). Here's a closer look at the Cherries...

Form

Bournemouth are the form team of the Premier League. It's been some recovery after losing 6-1 at City on 4 November - since then, they've won six of seven games, including victories over Newcastle and Manchester United, were ahead only to concede a late equaliser to Villa and have scored at least twice in all of those seven matches. Sitting 19th after being hit for six at the Etihad, they are now 12th.

Players to watch

Dominic Solanke is flying with six in his last five in the Premier League. The former Liverpool striker scored a hat-trick in the 3-2 win at Forest on 23 December and followed up with another from the spot as Bournemouth comfortably beat Fulham last time out on Boxing Day - 16 efforts at goal to Fulham's eight. The team is relatively settled, with seven players featuring in over 15 of Bournemouth's 18 matches, Solanke and Ukraine centre-back Illia Zabarnyi are ever-present, while Ryan Christie has started 17. Justin Kluivert was also on target against Fulham while Marcus Tavernier, starting left of a forward four, is a threat, as is Antoine Semenyo. Alex Scott, 20, caught the eye with a solo run to set up Kluivert's opener against Fulham. Also, look out for our former Academy product Adam Smith, 32, still raiding up and down the right flank and approaching 10 years at the Vitality.

Manager - Andoni Iraola

A legend at Athletic Bilbao, where he racked up over 500 appearances in all competitions between 2002-2015, runner-up in five cup finals during that time, Andoni Iraola began his managerial career at AEK Larnaca in Cyprus (2018/19) before returning to Spain and spells at Mirandes (2019/20) and Rayo Vallecano (2020-2023) before the Premier League came calling. Capped seven times by Spain, Iraola took Rayo Vallecano back into La Liga and finished 11th last season - they lost just 15 of their 38 games in the top flight.

Last time we met

This is our first return match of the 2023/24 Premier League season as we toppled Bournemouth 2-0 at the Vitality in the third game of the campaign in August. James Maddison opened his Spurs account from Pape Matar Sarr's clever pass in the first half. Then, after weathering some pressure from the home side at the start of the second half, Dejan Kulusevski finished after some fine work from Destiny Udogie down the left channel for his first goal of what is proving a productive 23/24.

How to follow...

Sunday's match is not being televised live in the UK. Live radio coverage comes from BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra. You can listen to BBC Radio London's commentary via our Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com and the Spurs Official app, where you’ll also find minute-by-minute text, goal alerts, stats and much more. Look out for our social media updates on X and Instagram. Video highlights will be available on SPURSPLAY from 7pm, with the full 90 minutes available to watch on demand from midnight. Also, look out for our Review Show with post-match reaction and analysis from presenter Ben Haines and guests on SPURSPLAY and YouTube. Worldwide broadcast listings are available via the link on this page...