Bournemouth vs Wolves – Betting Preview

This weekend will mark the return of the FA Cup as we get ready for the fifth round – and in one game down on the south coast, Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers will meet at the Vitality Stadium for the second time in a week.

Last weekend, the Cherries and Wanderers went to battle in a fascinating Premier League encounter. In the end, it was Wolves who came away with an impressive 1-0 triumph, but as we know, anything can happen in the FA Cup.

The important thing to remember is this: if you win this game, you are just one victory away from Wembley. That’s enough of an incentive for any team to really go for it, which is why we’re expecting to see both clubs put out really strong sides in a year that seems to be wide open when it comes to figuring out who’s actually going to win the competition.

So whether you’re using one of your own favourite bookies or Zamsino like Erik King, we’re here to lay out a few of the big talking points for what is bound to be one of the most drama-filled games of the round.

For Bournemouth, the game plan here is simple: get back to the strong, consistent and exciting brand of football that brought you to the dance. They have to utilise their star players and their assets down the flanks, and if they do that, they should be able to control the pace of the game.

Of course, then there’s Wolves. You could argue that their big names are the biggest out of the two teams and when they’re firing on all cylinders, they’re capable of beating quite literally anyone in this league. So, we’re choosing to believe that when they collide for the second time in a week, both will bring their A-games.

The Cherries will likely take the early lead, forcing Wolves out from their shell. The visitors tend to fare better when they stay tight defensively in the first half and they won’t be given that luxury in this instance, raising eyebrows about their ability to keep the train moving throughout the 90 minutes.

However, we do think they’ll be able to get back in the game with an equaliser, leading to an end-to-end battle that will highlight why both of these teams (on a good day) are capable of playing European football.

In the second half, however, the beauty of momentum will shine through – as will the desperation of the hosts to really go on a proper run in the cup. We think Bournemouth will hit the front behind a red hot atmosphere, giving them a berth in the quarter-finals.

For both teams, we think this is a decent enough outcome, too. Bournemouth can learn how to balance their push for Europe with a fun cup run, whereas Wolves need to put their attention where it really belongs: fighting against the threat of relegation.

So long as we get a fun game out of it, we’re game.

Official prediction: Bournemouth 3-1 Wolves