Tottenham Hotspur - Bournemouth predictions and free betting tips [31/12/2023]

Today as part of the 20 round of the Premier League (PL), Tottenham will host Bournemouth on their home ground. In the previous week, "The Spurs" lost to "The Seagulls" from Brighton with a score of 4:2, whilst "The Cherries" accomplished their fourth consecutive victory – against "The Cottagers" from Fulham – rising the gap from the relegation zone to ten points.

Estimated line up

Tottenham: Vicario; Porro, Emerson, Davis, Udoh; Skipp, Sarr; Johnson, Lo Celso, Son; Richarlison.
Bournemouth: Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerketz; Christie, Scott; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Solanke.

Stadium

The match will take place in London at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

Tottenham

Whilst missing out on the Champions League play-off this season due to a disastrous campaign last year, Tottenham has been more than admirable in the domestic arena. The Londoners maintain their 5th position in the Premier League standing, with only 3 points gap from the podium. Lately, "The Spurs" showed significant improvement, winning three latest championship matches: following the triumph against "The Magpies" from Newcastle (4:1), they managed to overcome "The Reds" from Nottingham Forest (0:2), and then defeated "The Toffees" from Everton (2:1). However, last Thursday evening, Ange Postecoglou's team was thoroughly beaten by "The Seagulls" from Brighton away (4:2). In the first half, the North London’s club failed to record a single shot on target, while "The Seagulls" were four goals ahead in the second 45-minute period, thanks to the efforts of Pervis Estupinan and João Pedro. Two late consolation goals by Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies were of little significance. 

For the past five years, Tottenham has failed to win their final PL match before the New Year. "The Spurs" are still lacking key players such as Van de Ven and Maddison, as well as midfielder Bentancur, and the regularly substituting Perisic, Solomon, Whiteman and Sessegnon. The Argentine Lo Celso (2 goals in 7 matches), absent this week, might return to play. The hosts' strike will definitely feature Kulusevski (5 goals and 2 assists), the Brazilian Richarlison (5 goals and 3 assists) and the South Korean Son (11 goals and 5 assists), who remains one of the top strikers of the PL, despite Harry Kane's departure during the summer transfer window. Oliver Skipp, alongside Bryan Gil, is one of the contenders for a starting position due to squad rotation.

Bournemouth

Doing everything possible to break into the top half of the standings, where the competition for European cup places is particularly fierce, Bournemouth holds a respectable 12th place overall, just ten points clear of the relegation zone. The team led by Andoni Iraola has been in excellent form lately, having won 4 consecutive matches against "The Eagles" from Crystal Palace (0:2), "The Red Devils" from Manchester United (0:3), "The Reds" from Nottingham Forest (2:3) and "The Cottagers" from Fulham (3:0). Dominic Solanke scored along with goals from Justin Kluivert and Luis Sinisterra. Since their first PL win in late October, no team has won more games (seven) or earned more points (22) than the red and blacks, who were previously languishing at the bottom of the table. Moreover, in the last seven rounds, the visitors consistently scored at least twice. 

Adam, Kelly, Aarons and Fredericks will not make the journey—long-standing missing midfielder as well as backup strikers Hamed Traoré and Marcondes from "The Cherries." Expected to return to the squad are goalie Randolph, defender Kerketz, and holding midfield player Cook. Dominic Solanke, who slotted in his 12th season goal from a penalty kick on Tuesday, ties in second place on the Premier League's top scorer list with Mohamed Salah, behind only Haaland (14 goals). Only Josh King (16 goals in the 2016-17 season) and Callum Wilson (14 goals in the 2018-19 season) have scored more for Bournemouth in a single Premier League campaign.

Head-to-head

In the previous 13 battles of the PL with "The Cherries," "The Spurs" have scored 32 goals, averaging 2.5 goals per game. Last season, the teams swapped away victories: 0:2 Tottenham and 2:3 Bournemouth.

Prediction for the Tottenham - Bournemouth match

Indeed, "The Cherries" are on top form, however, they will face a tough Sunday. The Londoners will be motivated to redeem themselves in front of the home crowd following the thrashing defeat from Brighton and reduce the gap from the top 4 in the table. It is important to note that the Spurs' infirmary is overflowing and Postecoglou's man-power resources are severely limited. My bet is on Bournemouth’s handicap 1.

Over/Under prediction

The visitors have scored 11 goals in the last five rounds of the PL - more than any other team in the championship. Tottenham is facing personnel problems in defence, therefore I suggest a confident bet on Bournemouth's individual total over 1.5 goals.