AFC Bournemouth vs West Brom Prediction: An interesting battle at the Vitality

AFC Bournemouth welcome West Bromwich Albion to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday (15:00) for the third round of the FA Cup. The hosts head into this off the back of a 1-0 home win against Everton in the Premier League.

The Baggies had to settle for a point last time out in the Championship as a late Joe Allen strike denied them a victory at Swansea City. Albion are still seeking a successor in the dugout following Carlos Corberan's departure for Valencia, which could impact their preparation. Read on for my AFC Bournemouth vs West Brom prediction, accompanied by match odds and team news.

AFC Bournemouth vs West Brom Odds

Bournemouth have won half (five out of 10) of their home games in the Premier League this season, so it feels the 4/11 (implied probability of 73.3%) price for them to win this tie inside 90 minute is a bit short. From those victories, the Cherries have won and both teams have scored in two of them, which means it has occurred 40% of the time. Better value can be had with a Bournemouth win and BTTS, available at 2/1.

West Brom head into this game ranked fourth in the away form table in the Championship, having collected 19 points from 14 games. They have just won four, however, so you have a slightly large price of 13/2 (13.3%) for the Baggies to prevail in regulation time.

With seven draws away from The Hawthorns, a stalemate could be a sensible pick up at 7/2.

Both teams to score has struck in five of Bournemouth's home games this campaign, and it is marketed at 5/6 for Saturday. BTTS No has also landed in the other five appearances at the Vitality, which could also be a tempting selection. This is also priced at 5/6.

Seven of West Brom's away fixtures have produced under 2.5 goals, which is available at 11/10 for this contest.

Football Odds

Team News

Bournemouth were handed a big injury blow against the Toffees at the weekend as Evanilson suffered a fractured metatarsal. The club have confirmed that the Brazilian has undergone successful surgery and will begin his rehabilitation and recovery. He is expected to be out for a couple of months.

This was followed by more misfortune as the other striker in the squad, Enes Unal, tore his ACL in training and is set to be sidelined for the rest of the season. This looks likely to force the Cherries to brave the January sales in search of a front man in the current transfer window.

They join Marcus Tavernier (hamstring) in the medical bay, and the latter is another who is out for "an extended period of time", as put by boss Andoni Iraola. Marcos Senesi (thigh) is not expected back until April, while Julian Araujo (hamstring) is another who is not expected back any time soon.

Tyler Adams was able to feature at the weekend from the bench but fellow midfielder Alex Scott was missing once again because of a knee problem.

Iraola could also hand starts to Adams, David Brooks (who was the match winner against Everton), Max Aarons and Kepa Arrizabalaga for this cup clash. Aarons has been linked with an exit this month but nothing substantial has arisen yet.

In more concrete news, Philip Billing is set to join Napoli on loan for the rest of the season.

For West Brom, Alex Mowatt was able to shake off a groin issue to feature from the bench against the Swans last time out and he could be restored to the starting XI in Dorset. He could then partner either Ousmane Diakite or Jayson Molumby in the middle of the park.

Defender Semi Ajayi remains out of action because of a hamstring injury. Kyle Bartley was given a much-needed rest at Swansea given his workload over the festive period but he could be called upon to start against the Cherries.

After scoring the opening goal from the bench, Tom Fellows could return to the right flank on Saturday, while Grady Diangana, John Swift and Caleb Taylor, who recently returned from a successful loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers, will be eyeing promotions to the lineup.

AFC Bournemouth and both teams to score @ 2/1

This is one of the more interesting ties of the third round and one that could turn out to be a decent contest. Bournemouth are having a good campaign in the Premier League and currently sit seventh, three points off the top four.

West Brom are sixth in the Championship and have lost just four times in the second tier. Albion also boast one of the best defensive records having conceded just 21 goals in 26 appearances. I think they can make this a tough game for Bournemouth, which will force Iraola and his players to get creative when looking for defensive openings.

The Cherries have lost just twice at home, though, so I think this is equally a difficult task for the Baggies to come and get a result here. As such I've gone for Bournemouth to win and both teams to score, which has landed on five occasions this season in the league.

I think they have better attacking options than the visitors, which I feel will ultimately be the difference in this affair. However, I'm confident we will see West Brom get on the scoresheet because they have quality attacking players themselves in the likes of Josh Maja, Mikey Johnston, Fellows and Karlan Grant.

Antoine Semenyo anytime goalscorer @ 8/5

Seeing as Bournemouth are missing their two strikers for this game, Iraola is going to be forced to tinker with his team, and either someone will need to act as the centre-forward, or he could opt for a false nine.

Antoine Semenyo, who has predominantly operated on the right flank, could be at the front of the queue as he did play up front at his previous club Bristol City. Justin Kluivert, who has been playing in behind Evanilson, might also be suited to the false nine role.

Semenyo seems to be the most sensible pick right now and I fancy this decision to pay off. He has my backing to get on the scoresheet on Saturday. The Ghana international has netted five goals in 19 appearances in the Premier League this campaign.

The 25-year-old has taken 50 shots in the top flight and so he is averaging 2.71 per 90. If he moves into the main attacking position, you would expect this statistic to increase, and with that his chances of scoring.

Offers

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