THE Cherries are set for a reunion with former manager Gary O’Neil as they travel to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers.
O’Neil left AFC Bournemouth in June 2023 after he kept the Cherries in the Premier League, as the south coast side appointed current boss Andoni Iraola.
The Cherries will hope to stop his side’s resurgence in the midlands – the Daily Echo previews Saturday’s clash.
Team News
Andoni Iraola will be without key man Antoine Semenyo as he is suspended, having picked up his fifth yellow card of the season last weekend against Brighton.
Ryan Christie returns from suspension, though, so Bournemouth will be boosted by his return.
Alex Scott and Julian Araujo remain long-term absentees after their surgeries, while Luis Sinisterra is continuing his rehab from injury.
Wolves, meanwhile, will be boosted by the return to fitness of Craig Dawson, Santiago Bueno and Pablo Sarabia.
Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is also expected to return to the squad after he missed the Wolves trip to Fulham last weekend.
Head-to-Head
The two sides have only faced each other 19 times across their histories, with Bournemouth having the marginally better record with eight wins to Wolves’ seven.
Across the past six meetings between the two sides, Saturday’s hosts have won three, with the Cherries taking two and with one draw, coming in August 2022.
Last season, the Cherries were beaten 2-1 at Dean Court in October 2023.
Dominic Solanke gave Bournemouth the lead after 17 minutes, but goals from Matheus Cunha shortly after halftime and Saša Kalajdžić two minutes from time gave Wolves the points.
But Bournemouth took the points at Molineux thanks to a first half Antoine Semenyo goal.
The game was not without its controversies, though, as Milos Kerkez was sent off and Wolves had two goals disallowed by VAR, including in the final moments of the match.
Last Time Out
AFC Bournemouth come into the game off the back of two defeats, at Brentford and at home to Brighton.
Last weekend, against the Seagulls, the Cherries fell to a 2-1 defeat after goals from Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma after four minutes in each half gave their fellow south coast side all three points.
A stoppage time David Brooks goal was nothing more than a consolation, although Semenyo struck the crossbar with a terrific volley with the final kick of the game.
Wolves, though, are in their best form of the season so far, drawing with Brighton and Crystal Palace before defeating Southampton, and last weekend, Fulham.
The performance at Craven Cottage was an impressive 4-1 victory, thanks to a Cunha brace and goals from Joao Gomes and Goncalo Guedes.
Wolves sit 17th in the table with nine points, while the Cherries are 13th with 15.
The game at Molineux on Saturday, November 30, kicks off at 3pm.
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