AFC Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur on matchday 3 of the 2023/24 Premier League season is one of the more “casual” games for many lovers of the Premier League. While fans can expect the typical Premier League action and atmosphere, it is one of those games that many tend not to pay too much attention to.

Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola have not been spectacular but there are signs that the Cherries could become a team that will be difficult to play against. However, after picking up a point from the six they have had to fight for, Ange Postecoglou of Spurs will not be too worried about facing the Spaniard and his side.

Iraola, meanwhile, has learned a few lessons in the Premier League. His transition from LaLiga – where he has a reputation as a master of organized chaos – to the Premier League, has not been hectic but he has found that it could take a little bit more to bag three points in English football.

Speaking after the loss to Liverpool, he said: “I think we did pretty well during the first half because they were putting a lot of pressure. Overall, I was happy with the performance.”

 

“Probably in these kinds of games, you need something, some moments to go your way,” Iraola continued. “And there were key things that took us far from the points, especially the penalty. “We were competing and this penalty was important for them. And after, when they were with 10, just straight away next play, I think they score. And we had the chances at the end, but we were far from the game.”

Spurs, on the other hand, are buoyed by their big win over Manchester United during the last matchday. It was their first win over the Red Devils since they moved to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a few years ago. What’s more: they achieved it without their talisman, Harry Kane who is now in Germany attempting to win Bayern Munich’s 12th straight Bundesliga title with Die Rekordmeister.

Bournemouth is an away trip but Spurs will be prepared for the Cherries fans, who will attempt to make the 11,000-capacity Vitality Stadium bigger than it is with their cheers for their team and boos for them. Fans took to social media after Spurs’ win over Manchester United to proclaim the arrival of “Ange Ball”. They praised the Australian for his great in-game management that led to their victory over the 20-time Premier League champions.

The former Celtic manager is still flying high on cloud nine from those accolades which means he will be doing all he can to not be caught slacking when they travel to Bournemouth on Saturday 26 August.

Match Tickets

AFC Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur tickets are on sale on AFC Bournemouth’s website and Tottenham Hotspur’s website. Fans have already joined waiting lists to get their tickets for the game. It may not be sold out but ticket resellers will see some patronage, thanks to fans who have a tendency to resell their tickets for one reason or the other.

Most neutrals who want to witness the game live – as well as impatient fans of both clubs – can patronize resellers for their tickets to go see the game which will take place at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday 26 August 2023 at 12:30 PM. The early kickoff game will be broadcasted live on Sky Sports, the Premier League’s chief broadcast partner. Fans in and around the UK can tune in at that time to catch the action. The rest of the world can view the game on the various broadcast partners of the Premier League.

Team News

AFC Bournemouth have a few players out injured from before the season started. The big news is their signing of United States Men’s National Team captain Tyler Adams. Rodrigo Bentancur (ACL recovery; 7 weeks), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring surgery; unknown recovery date), Bryan Gil (groin surgery; unknown recovery date) and Alfie Whiteman (ankle surgery; unknown recovery date) are the players who Ange Postecoglu will have to do without as he travels to Bournemouth for the third game of the 2023/24 Premier League season.

Luckily for him, these players all picked up these injuries before the season kicked off, which means he does not have to shift gears or rework his tactics for the sake of the trip. However, James Maddison was pictured on crutches recently, following a knock he picked up against Manchester United.

The extent of the £40 million man’s discomfort is unknown but reports are indicating that he could join the aforementioned players on the sidelines. Postecoglu has also spoken about trimming his squad which means that a number of players are up for sale, most notably Japhet Tanganga, who is on the radar of newly-promoted Luton Town.

Lineups

AFC Bournemouth could hand a debut to Tyler Adams, who cost them £23 million to pry off Leeds United’s hands. However, Iraola could keep the American on the bench or not include him in the squad at all for him to see the vision from a vantage point. The XI that will start against Tottenham is going to be unchanged from the one that started against Liverpool. AFC

Bournemouth: Neto; Kerkez, Senesi, Zabarnyi, Aarons; Rothwell, Billing; Anthony, Ouattara, Semenyo; Solanke

Ange Postecoglou will hope that the injury to Maddison is not serious. If it is not, Spurs will have the former Leicester City man at the heart of their midfield that will face Bournemouth. If it is, then Danish midfielder Pierre-Emike Højbjerg will be getting his first start of the season as Tottenham returns to a 4-3-3 formation.

Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario; Emerson, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven; Højbjerg, Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son.

Prediction

AFC Bournemouth will wait a little longer for their first three points of the season, which will put Iraola in the firing line. Postecoglu will continue to evolve with Tottenham Hotspur and the game will see him show more of his tactical nous which many expect to take the Premier League by storm, thanks to his precedents in the Scottish Premiership.

Iraola’s team will get on the scoresheet but it will be difficult to keep Spurs out. Captain Heung-Min Son is due his first goal of the season and he is an odds-on favourite to score in that tie. There will also be a number of fouls which may lead to a penalty or more. Spurs take this one for their second three points of the season.

AFC Bournemouth 0 – 2 Tottenham Hotspur