Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola were impressive in parts against Liverpool (their current title holders) before going down 4-2 whilst Wolves at the hands of Manchester City conceded four goals without responding at Molineux. Both teams will now be under fire to get their first points of the season.
Match Preview
Bournemouth and Liverpool were involved in a season-opening clash that was marred by an incidence of racist insult directed towards their winger Antoine Semenyo leaving a 47-year-old man arrested and released on bail. However, Semenyo displayed an impressive ability to shrug off the controversy on the field and netted two goals in the second half which helped to nearly bring the Cherries back into the game.
Liverpool were ultimately able to break the Bournemouth resistance with their greater offensive capabilities but the Basques will have been pleased by the counter-attacking capabilities and their showing in front of goal. Sadly the same can not be said of their home record in the 2024-25 with wins only in two of their previous eight games at Vitality Stadium.
However, Bournemouth are usually popular in front of their fans, with a home record of having not lost their opening match of the last five seasons in the top-flight.
Wolves were in turn blown away by rampant Manchester City. Erling Haaland opened the scoring before Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki scored on debut as the game ended 4-0. Vitor Pereira side generated a number of half-chances and even had goals disallowed due to offside, but were otherwise dominated in all facets across the field.
That made it a poor August record to the bottom of the table, with Wolves only winning one of their 22 league games in the month in the prior. Conversely, their away record against Bournemouth is also good: they are unbeaten in 5 Premier League away fixtures against the Vitality Stadium (3 wins and two draws).
Team News
Bournemouth
New signing Ben Doak (Liverpool) was a possible debutant after his £25m arrival.
Other international players available in the squad are Morocco international Amine Adli (Bayer Leverkusen).
Justin Kluivert (calf), and Ryan Christie (groin) are left to undergo late fitness tests.
Nes Unal (knee) and Lewis Cook (knee) are unavailable.
David Brooks has his chances to retain his position as he helped to score one of Semenyo goals at Anfield.
Wolves
New signing Jackson Tchatchoua, the fastest player in Serie A last season, has hopes of commencing in his preferred position, right wing-back.
Leon Chiwone (ACL) is the one absentee.
Vito Pereira will consider a reshape in his backline after the heavy loss in the last match.
Predicted Lineups
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1):
Petrovic; Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Brooks; Evanilson
Wolves (3-4-2-1):
Sa; Doherty, Toti, Agbadou; Tchatchoua, Gomes, Andre, Wolfe; Lopez, Munetsi; Larsen
Betting Tips
The teams to Score ✅
Bournemouth and Wolverhampton impressed in either ends going forward against Liverpool and City respectively, recording a large share of possession but failing to fully link up. Both defences are being built and goals should come at each side.
More than 2.5 Goals ✅
Both teams were conceding a lot last weekend, and Wolves will want to recover after such a poor loss whereas Semenyo has been impressing in Bournemouth that the game may prove to be another high-scoring one.
Match Odds – Bournemouth win ✅
The Cherries are unbeaten in their first home game of the season over the last five seasons and Wolves have suffered dismally in August with a 14 per cent win record. Home advantage is something that might work in the favour of Iraola.
Prediction
Bournemouth have demonstrated toughness, and goal scoring potential under Iraola, whereas Wolves can not make their minds up. Semenyo is in red-hot form and some of his new signings are set to make an impact and thus the Cherries should scrape past this lively contest.
Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Wolves
