Will Scott Parker's Bournemouth transfer their fine form in the Championship to the Premier League to beat the bookies and avoid relegation?
What happened last year?
Bournemouth bounced straight back into the Premier League after claiming second spot in the Championship, collecting a grand total of 88 points in the 2021/22 season. It wasn’t easy for Scott Parker’s men after they were pushed to the penultimate game of the season by Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest but after making a risky investment in registering 14 new players during the two transfer windows in 2021/22 it certainly paid off with the Cherries now back in the Premier League.
Betfred
- Huge range of regular promotions
- 24/7 live chat service
- PickYourPunt builder for custom bets
Key Signings?
Ryan Fredericks
One of Scott Parker's first signings was to pick up the former West Ham full-back Ryan Fredericks. Fredericks is a proven Premier League fullback and will bring a vast knowledge of the league to the less inexperienced players in the group. The former Tottenham graduate also played a big hand in West Ham’s Europa League campaign making six appearances for the Hammers, so will certainly add experience to this Cherries squad. Fredericks predominantly plays right back but as shown last season he can play left back as well so this will also add some depth to the Bournemouth squad.
And who’s out?
Nathaniel Phillips
Bournemouth loaned in up to six players last year but will certainly miss Liverpool man Nathaniel Phillips at the back. Phillips played a total of 17 games whilst on loan at Bournemouth as was brought in during the January transfer window but made an instant impact on Parker’s backline. The Cherries only have natural three centre-backs currently at the club and the loss of Phillips and Cahill highlights an area which will need some reinforcement over the transfer window.
Who is their star man?
Dominic Solanke
Former Chelsea and Liverpool player, Dominic Solanke initially struggled when first joining Bournemouth but when they dropped down to the Championship the 24-year-old began to flourish for the Cherries. Solanke played all 46 games in the Championship and netted 29 goals and seven assists for Scott Parker’s Bournemouth, in most other year’s that would have returned the forward the golden boot but he was beaten by Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrović on this occasion.
Bournemouth had an abundance of attacking talent in the Championship to supply Solanke and as his team moves into the Premier League the England international will need to take his chances in the Premier League, coming up against a better quality of defender. Solanke is currently the best price of 100/1 to be the Premier League top goalscorer.
What can we expect from them in 2022/23?
After losing out on six key players during their 2021/22 season and only currently signing three players, we can expect Bournemouth to be fighting to stay in the league this year. Scott Parker failed in his last attempt to keep Fulham up but he showed glimpses that he belongs in the top flight and after a very successful season last year he will be feeling all the more confident in his own ability this season.
Where do the odds project them to finish?
The odds project them to finish 20th according to the Premier League outright market. The Cherries are currently a best price of 2/3 to be relegated and can be found at a best price of 6/4 to stay up.
Any recommended bets?
It sort of feels the writing is on the wall for Bournemouth as things stands, after losing a significant number of players due to their loan strategy in the Championship and the club at the moment hasn’t seemed to replace them as of yet, you feel that relegation is the only option and at 2/3 seems like a good price to jump on before it shortens during the season.
