Bournemouth are expected to mark their first Championship match with an easy three points against Charlton tomorrow, at least according to the bookies. The odds are 5/4 a home win, 23/10 draw and 11/5 away win. Coral also have us at 7-1 to be relegated against 10-1 for promotion. Whilst I think we will be neither promoted nor relegated, I think that our chances of promotion are similar to those of relegation.
A possible cloud over tomorrow's match is the referee, Andy D'Urso, the banker from Billericay. We can expect some baffling decisions and they may well favour the home side. It is conceivable that a Charlton player will be sent off for putting in a tackle.
There has been a certain amount of bigging up of Bournemouth as the Championship dark horses, but I think the Four Four Two prediction of a finish in 18th place is about right. Eddie Howe has got them playing well with a combination of brisk passing and dynamic attacking down both flanks, so a lot will depend on Solly and Wiggins. They can pass the ball out from the back well, but I think we may be able to counter attack quite well. In any event I don't think they are invincible and I am expecting an entertaining and closely contested game between two sides who both have strong team spirit. I am going for a 2-2 draw.
Hopefully the Addickted who are going will be in good heart, even if the rapid retreat of the tidal wave of pessimism and negativity experienced earlier in the weekend has left some fans stunned. I am confident that Chris Powell and his team will improve Church and Sordell as players.
3 comments:
Quietly confident of a result tomorrow, coming into a new season with no significant injury problems, a settled team from last season with the added impetus of a couple of strikers, probably one of whom will start and other on the bench. Not sure we have great strength in depth in the squad, or the most creative midfield in the division, but we showed last year that we excel in matching the opposition away from home and nicking results, I see no reason to think Powell will change his approach and I fancy us to start with a win.
Perhaps the bookies need to be reminded of our extraordinary away record over the last two seasons - 24 wins and only 9 defeats ( the like of which we may never see again ).
Against that, newly-promoted teams are usually a difficult proposition at the beginning of the season. I'm therefore inclined to agree with Wyn that a draw is the most likely result, although who knows. Really looking forward to this one and, indeed, the season generally.
Referee D'Urso is a most unwelcome blot on Charlton's prospects for this one - how he is still refereeing is beyond mystifying
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