English Premier League Soccer - Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Bournemouth, 6/24/20 - Preview, Prediction & Odds
Trying to improve their chances of remaining in the Premier League for another year, 18th-placed Bournemouth will hope to bag an unlikely victory while visiting 6th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have a spot in the next season’s Champions League in their sight. Kick-off - at 13:00 PM ET on Wednesday, June 24.
Wolves Extend Unbeaten Streak
The current unbeaten run of Wolverhampton Wanderers extended to six league games (W3 D3) after the West Midlands team snatched a 2-0 victory against West Ham United away at London Stadium on Saturday. Raul Jimenez set a new record for the most strikes by a Wolves player in a single Premier League campaign (14) after beating his own 13-goal achievement of last season with Wolverhampton’s opening marker with just over 15 minutes remaining on the clock. Pedro Neto banked the second goal of the Wolves, who sit 6th in the league (W11 D13 L6), on level points with 5th-placed Manchester United for a berth in the Champions League next season.
With his 14 markers during the current campaign, Jimenez has netted eight strikes more than Wolverhampton’s 2nd highest scorer Diogo Jota (6 snipes). Goalie Rui Patricio, meanwhile, sits 11th with 80 Premier League saves this year. He has collected nine clean sheets in 30 games this season and gives up a goal every 79 minutes of play. The Wolves have buried the 7th highest number of goals during the ongoing season (43) while taking the 9th highest quantity of shots per game (12.7). The team is 12th in ball possession (47.9%) and 10th in passing accuracy (78.8%).
Bournemouth Fail Against Palace
The first contest since the coronavirus outbreak gave Bournemouth their second consecutive loss after the seaside team dropped a 2-0 home decision against Crystal Palace at Vitality Stadium on Saturday. The defeat kept the Cherries without a win for the fifth successive contest in the league (D1 L4), as the Dorset club led in ball possession (59%) and shots (12-7), but failed to find the back of the net for the ninth time in its last 16 Premier League games, allowing both goals in the first 23 minutes of the match. Bournemouth remain 18th in the standings (W7 D6 L17), on level points with 17th-placed West Ham United, but with an inferior goal differential.
English striker Callum Wilson and Welsh midfielder Harry Wilson lead the Cherries with eight and seven goals each. Aaron Ramsdale, meanwhile, occupies the 3rd position in Premier League’s saves table, having turned away 103 shots thus far this year. He has registered four clean sheets in 29 contests during the ongoing campaign and allows a goal every 57 minutes on average. Bournemouth is 5th from the bottom in goals scored this season (29), 3rd from the bottom in shots taken per game (10.3) and 13th in both ball possession (46.6%) and passing accuracy (76.2%).
Prediction
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Premier League record against Bournemouth, consisting of two victories and a draw (W2 D1), is set to improve further. Especially considering the current awful form of the Cherries, who have failed to win any of their last five league contests, losing four of them (D1 L4). The Wolves are in the middle of a fight to qualify for the Champions League next season and have shown that determination in their performances, boasting five clean sheets in their last six EPL matches (W3 D3). Look out for Wolverhampton’s top-scorer Raul Jimenez as well! The nifty Mexican has scored in each of his three past appearances versus Bournemouth, ready to add another tally against the Premier League strugglers.
Best bets:
Wolverhampton to win to nil (+135)
Raul Jimenes to score anytime (+115)