Bournemouth face ultimate test of survival against Tottenham’s travelling specialists | OneFootball

Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur meet on Wednesday night with both sides in urgent need of a win to steady faltering Premier League campaigns.

The pressure is arguably greater on Tottenham, who continue to drift in the lower half and are desperate to begin climbing the table.

Bournemouth have renewed belief after pushing league leaders Arsenal to the limit at the Vitality Stadium despite another damaging defeat.

Andoni Iraola’s side were beaten 3-2 but produced a performance that suggested their long winless run is not due to a lack of effort or attacking intent.

That result extended Bournemouth’s run without a league victory to 11 matches, their worst sequence in a top-flight season.

Despite that slump, the Cherries are15th and remain comfortably clear of the relegation zone, helped by the struggles of the bottom three.

Home form offers some encouragement, with four of their five league wins this season coming at the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth have also shown a tendency to raise their level against stronger opponents, particularly in open games where space is available.

The Arsenal match reinforced that sense, even if familiar defensive frailties once again undermined their work.

Tottenham are still searching for consistency and clarity under manager Thomas Frank.

Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland was another frustrating chapter in a season defined by missed opportunities.

Spurs have now won just two of their last 11 league matches, a return that explains their position in 13th place.

While they remain within touching distance of the top half, momentum has been difficult to sustain.

Their home struggles contrast sharply with a strong away record that is one of the few positives.

Only Arsenal have collected more points away from home this season, highlighting Tottenham’s ability to perform better on the road.

That makes a trip to Bournemouth feel like an opportunity, even if confidence is fragile.

Spurs are also chasing a third consecutive away clean sheet, something they have not achieved since 2022.

Bournemouth will take encouragement from recent head-to-head meetings, having avoided defeat in their last three outings against Tottenham.

They also won the reverse fixture earlier in the season, putting a first-ever league double firmly within reach.

Both teams are desperate for points, albeit for different reasons, which should make for a competitive contest.