CHERRIES hope to complete their first double of the Premier League season when Nottingham Forest visit Vitality Stadium this afternoon – but who starts?
We have taken a prod at guessing who will be in Andoni Iraola’s plans for the encounter with Nuno Espirito Santo’s Tricky Trees.
Deadline day signing Enes Unal does not look likely to be involved, the Turkish international awaiting a visa.
There will also definitely be one missing face from the squad that faced West Ham, Gavin Kilkenny joining Fleetwood Town on loan until the end of the season.
Goalkeeper and defence
Neto had little to do against West Ham but produced a save when it counted in the first half. Goalkeepers are never expected to save a penalty, especially against set-piece specialists like James Ward-Prowse, so there is little reason for the custodian to be swapped out for the Forest fixture.
In defence options remain limited.
Asked if Adam Smith could feature twice in the span of four days, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “I think he knows very well his body, and he will be the first one to tell us ‘I'm ready, I don't feel 100 per cent recovered’.
“It's really tight, really tight, two days to recover.
“Also, we don't want to lose him.
“Right now it's the only right back we have and we have to be cautious and see what he tells us.”
As such it seems likely that Smith will again start at right-back.
Fitness issues aside, the performance at West Ham was strong enough for Iraola to likely resist changes, especially at the back.
It feels likely that we will see Illia Zabaryni and Marcos Senesi partner up at the back, although there is potential for Lloyd Kelly to drop out at left-back.
The defender came off with cramps on Tuesday, but there is no concern around his fitness. However, Milos Kerkez is also back, with Iraola now left with the headache of picking between the two after going large periods of the season with having just one – or none – of the two left-backs available.
We predict that it is Kerkez’s turn to start from the off against Forest.
Midfield and attack
The midfield axis of Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie once again formed a reliable bedrock for Cherries against West Ham, and the pair are arguably the most durable members of Iraola’s side.
Alex Scott, on the other hand, should be managed with caution following two spells with injury this season.
We expect to see Justin Kluivert return to the starting XI as the number 10.
Romain Faivre probably cannot expect to start so soon after returning from loan at FC Lorient, but expect changes out wide.
Luis Sinisterra seems a likely candidate to come back in, which probably would mean Antoine Semenyo dropping to the bench.
Marcus Tavernier’s ability to feature on either flank means he has double the chances of starting, so we estimate that he will move to the right to facilitate the inclusion of Sinisterra on the left.
Enes Unal has a task on his hands to overhaul Dominic Solanke’s starting berth, with Cherries’ talisman again in the goals against West Ham.
Cherries predicted XI: Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Tavernier, Kluivert, Sinisterra; Solanke.
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