Bournemouth - Wolverhampton 22-05-25

We're going to end here in the editorial office, what has happened to Bournemouth this season?! What a joy to watch! Kluivert senior must be sitting at home in Amsterdam and grinning at the screen as he watches his son wreak havoc in the Premier League. The old Ajax and Barcelona hero's genetic material clearly flows well through Justin's veins. But it's not just the Kluivert family that can smile, the whole club is beaming, and at the time of writing they are in the important fifth place, the point behind reigning champions Manchester City. What a party! At Wolves, the tone is not as cheerful. The place above relegation, and the cold blade of the knife to the throat is starting to wear on. The performance against Liverpool last weekend gives hope, but is it as easy to fight against Bournemouth? This season the answer to that question has been no. Time is running out for the Wolves.

Bournemouth – Two feints and away they go

The introduction to the analysis says it all, this is a team in free dressage. The victories come like pearls on a string, and it doesn't seem to bother the players that you are now starting to have some expectations related to the performances. The train just rolls on, and as of now Bournemouth must accept being one of the candidates for next year's Champions League from the English top division. The goal difference reads 44-29 after 25 rounds played, and third place is within reach. A position Nottingham holds. What an enrichment these two teams have been this season. Several greats have completely gone off the rails, but then it is good to bring out new teams, new players, and the acquaintances they represent are helping to color this year's season.

Bournemouth cruised past Nottingham, they battered Newcastle, before losing to Liverpool. In the last round they were back on the horse with a fine win over Southampton. Evanilson is still missing, but as of now it is barely noticeable. Semenyo continues to impress, and it is questionable whether Bournemouth will be able to keep this jewel next season. Together with Kluivert and Ouattara, these three create problems for anyone, and a weak away team like Wolves should be the perfect playground. We have let ourselves be dazzled, and no matter how much we consider, we cannot free ourselves from the thought that this will be another notch in the belt for Iraola.

Wolverhampton – Between a rock and a hard place

Wolverhampton in 2024/2025 is not the best team, unfortunately. If you strip this team of Cunha, there is a reasonable gray mass left. That is why Wolverhampton is also dangerous, the place is just over the line. 35-54 gives a goal difference of minus 19, and 16 of 25 games have been lost. It does not work at this level, and the jump up to West Ham in the place in front has become too big. Wolverhampton must look over their shoulder, because Ipswich and Leicester are chasing close behind. Two of these three are following Southampton down a floor.

There were signs of improvement at Anfield last weekend. Liverpool seemed to have full control, but then the Wolves came back. Cunha scored the equalizer, and with a little luck they could have actually been left with a point. Because with a little luck there are footballers on this team too. Ait Nouri and Semedo are two capable wing-backs, and together with the aforementioned Cunha and Sarabia they can be good at transitions. The only problem is that there are few of them, and in the meantime you have to stop three or four transitions against. The total therefore tends to be a loss, and especially on away pitches it is tiring. Eight losses on away pitches with a goal difference of 19-30 says it all. The last three on away pitches have also been lost, with eight goals conceded. We are afraid that loss number four on the rap, and ninth overall, is a fact on Saturday.

Conclusion – Bournemouth one step closer to Europe

I'm putting my head on the chopping block and proclaiming that Bournemouth will win. The teams met in the reverse fixture earlier this winter, and the visitors then went home with a tidy 4-2 victory. Justin Kluivert scored a hat-trick, and it was no small feat. Completely superior then, and significant favorites this time. Wolves have few options up front with both Hwang and Strand Larsen out with injuries, so much will fall on the aforementioned Cunha. It will be a lot for one simple brass to carry.

Wolverhampton have been in trouble several times, and it is questionable whether that will happen again. Bournemouth are a really good attacking team this season, and it could be tough for the away team to contain their eager players. We predict a home win, and we also believe that the Cherries will not stop at just one goal. Bournemouth's previous home game ended with a 5-0 win over Nottingham…

England at 16:00: Bournemouth – Wolverhampton: Home win + over 1.5 goals (1.89)

Alternative game

England at 16:00: Bournemouth – Wolverhampton: Both teams to score: No (2.20)