#AFCB v #AVFC: How will the Cherries line-up?

By Tales From The South End - August, 8th 2015

Only Eddie Howe knows who will make the starting XI for the Cherries first ever match in the Premier League. Will he stick with last season’s Championship winners or will some of the new boys get to make history?

Back at the beginning of July we choose who we thought would make the Cherries starting XI against Aston Villa. Things have changed, our opinion and the pool of players to choose from. We still think it will be 4-2-3-1, but more of the new boys will get a chance.

In defence we see Cook and Daniels being dropped for Distin and Mings. In midfield it will still be two defensive midfielders with one definitely being Surman. The other would have been Arter, but he’s injured so we are going with MacDonald (not totally convinced of this but not sure who else would play there).

AFC Bournemouth are rich in attacking options and it is difficult to choose. But we reckon Ritchie and Pugh will start, though left midfield is difficult to decide. It could easily be King or Gradel. But we, think Gradel will be left out of the starting XI due to his lack of time with the team. Partnering Wilson (a dead cert) up front will be Kermorgant with a a real possibility of Tomlin replacing him later on.

So many decisions to make, glad were aren’t Eddie Howe. In all honestly we don’t care who plays as long as they play well and we win, but its great fun trying to guess. And, here’s our line-up for 3pm Saturday 8th August 2015.