Sports
Bournemouth Faces West Brom in FA Cup Third Round Clash
Bournemouth will host West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the Vitality Stadium. The Cherries, riding a club-record eight-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League, aim to advance in the competition as they seek their first major trophy in history. West Brom, currently managerless, are looking to upset their top-flight opponents despite their struggles in the Championship.
Bournemouth’s recent form has been impressive, with five wins and three draws in their last eight Premier League matches. Manager Andoni Iraola has guided the team to seventh place in the league, just three points behind Chelsea. The Cherries’ success has been built on a collective effort rather than individual brilliance, with Dominic Solanke, Justin Kluivert, and Antoine Semenyo sharing the goalscoring responsibilities.
West Brom, meanwhile, are navigating a transitional period after the departure of manager Carlos Corberan to Valencia. Interim coaches Chris Brunt and James Morrison have steadied the ship, with the Baggies unbeaten in their last three Championship matches. However, they face a tough challenge against a Bournemouth side that has been dominant at home.
Injury concerns loom large for both teams. Bournemouth will be without key striker Evanilson, who suffered a broken leg, and Enes Unal, who is out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury. West Brom are missing Daryl Dike due to an Achilles injury, leaving them short of firepower up front.
Despite these setbacks, Bournemouth are favored to progress. BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton predicts a 2-0 victory for the Cherries, while actor Billy Bob Thornton forecasts a 3-1 win for the home side. The match kicks off at 3pm GMT and will be a crucial test for both teams as they vie for a place in the fourth round.