If the past couple of weeks are anything to go by, a topsy-turvy season lies in wait for West Ham. Mind you, ask Hammers fans and they wouldn’t have it any other way!
After putting in the performance of the opening weekend versus Arsenal, most would have had West Ham down as dead certs to kick on and overcome Leicester City at home.
However, the high-flying Foxes brought The Irons firmly back to earth with a lesson in clinical finishing.
West Ham’s inability to add to Dimitri Payet’s solitary goal last week will further highlight the need for Messrs Gold and Sullivan to dig deep to sign a prolific striker before the transfer window slams shut.
Charlie Austin anyone? Perhaps not…
Meanwhile, its two out of two for Bournemouth so far – that’s two games and two defeats. Two promising performances have impressed but yielded zero goals and zero points.
This said, if this season’s version of the offside rule had been sent to the assistant running the line at Anfield on Monday, The Cherries may have a point to show for their efforts so far.
And with Tommy Elphick’s disallowed goal leaving Eddie Howe further aggrieved, Bournemouth will be hoping for a little more luck from now on.
TEAM NEWS
Mauro Zarate joins Andy Carroll and Enner Valencia on a West Ham injury table full of strikers.
Harry Arter and Christian Atsu remain unavailable through injury so Eddie Howe is expected to name an unchanged team.
STATS
If Adrian’s understudy Darren Randolph could’ve handpicked the team to face for his Premier League debut, he would not have chosen Bournemouth. Eddie Howe’s boys managed to put 12 goals past former Birmingham ‘keeper Randolph in just two games last season. The Cherries would settle for beating Randolph just the once though should they claim their first ever Premier League point.
PREDICTION
Bournemouth to pop their Premier League scoring cherry but to fall short. Again.
THE FOOTBALL WAGON 