Bournemouth

The Premier League's return this weekend brings trepidation for some and excitement for others.

Football's emotional rollercoaster becomes intense at this time of year, unless of course mid-table mediocrity has taken a grip of things in recent months.

So how are you feeling as a Bournemouth fan with just a handful of weeks left to go?

The league form reads: WDDDDD

The next three league fixtures are: Arsenal (a), Newcastle (a) and Leeds (h)

Let us know how you're feeling here

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

When Bournemouth run out at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, it will be nearly a year since they recorded one of the most famous away wins in the club's history at the same venue.

It was 3 May, 2025 when Andoni Iraola's Cherries triumphed 2-1 against his childhood team-mate Mikel Arteta's Arsenal to complete a seasonal double over the Gunners, who had already lost out on the 2024-25 title to newly crowned champions Liverpool.

Then, as now, Arsenal v Bournemouth was sandwiched between a two-legged Champions League knockout tie, but despite two recent cup defeats ending talk of a quadruple, this is an Arsenal side still battling on two fronts and holding a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Bournemouth, in some ways, are barely recognisable from the team which pulled off that victory last May. Of the 15 Cherries players to take the field that day, six are no longer at the club, two are out on loan and only three of the remaining seven started the most recent game against Manchester United, with three others currently injured.

If anyone needs reminding, three of last season's Cherries back four are involved in the Champions League quarter-finals, as is last season's regular goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is likely to be on Arsenal's bench against his former loan side.

And if that Arsenal game last May feels like a long time ago, it also feels a long time since Bournemouth led the "as it stands" Premier League table for an hour or so during their eighth league game of the season at Crystal Palace in October.

But while the only record Bournemouth look in danger of breaking is the most draws in a Premier League season - their total of 15 is two shy of the 38-game season record of 17 - they will surely not give up hope of grabbing a European place until it is mathematically impossible to earn it.

With Arsenal's win at Sporting on Tuesday guaranteeing a fifth Champions League place for English clubs, two of the FA Cup semi-finalists in contention for top-five spots, and Manchester City's Conference League place for winning the Carabao Cup surely destined to revert to the league, it is not unrealistic that eighth place could earn European qualification.

However, with remaining fixtures against Arsenal, Newcastle,Leeds, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest, the Cherries would have to do it the hard way.

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League will have at least five teams in the Champions League next season after securing a European Performance Spot for the second straight year.

The extra place was confirmed on Tuesday as Arsenal beat Sporting 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Uefa awards an additional place to the two leagues with the best overall performance across the three European competitions.

The race for fifth place in the Premier League, currently held by Liverpool on 49 points, is exceptionally tight.

Just seven points separate Arne Slot's side from 13th-placed Bournemouth.

Chelsea (48) sit in sixth followed by Brentford (46), Everton (46), Fulham (44), Brighton (43), Sunderland (43), Newcastle (42) and Bournemouth (42).

If Aston Villa, who are fourth on 54 points, win the Europa League and finish outside the top four, the Premier League would have six teams in the Champions League.

The same logic applies to Liverpool, who face Paris St-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

If either win a European trophy and finish fifth, then sixth would qualify for the Champions League via the EPS place.

If both win European trophies and finish fifth and sixth, that would put seventh into the Champions League.

Nottingham Forest are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. They could emulate Tottenham by winning the competition and finishing in the bottom half of the table.

Just like last season, that would create a sixth team in the Champions League for the Premier League too.

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Eli Junior Kroupi could make another piece of history in what has been an impressive first season in English football this weekend.

After scoring his ninth league goal of the season from the penalty spot in the Cherries' most recent league game against Manchester United, the 19-year-old could become the first teenager to score 10 or more goals in their first Premier League season since Robbie Keane for Coventry City in 1999-2000 (12).

Already the Cherries' youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer, achieving such a feat against league leaders Arsenal at Emirates Stadium would be typical of a youngster who has taken to life in the English top flight like a duck to water, with no fear and no respect for reputation.

Kroupi's nine league goals this season have come from 26 appearances, but only 14 starts. The penalty against United was his only spot-kick, and it is the instinctive nature and variety of his goals that have really caught the attention.

In his catalogue for the season so far are two finishes with his weaker left foot, a header and three strikes from outside the box - including a stunner in the match against Arsenal at Vitality Stadium earlier this season.

Of players who have scored more than once this season, only Erling Haaland's 110 minutes per goal betters Kroupi's ratio of 129 minutes per goal.

His efficiency is also impressive. Of players who have scored five or more times this season, Kroupi's conversion rate (including blocks) of 26.6% is only bettered by Brentford's Igor Thiago (26.8), Leeds' Lukas Nmecha (27.3%), Brighton's Danny Welbeck (27.9%) and Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes (28.1%).

His efficiency highlights a ruthlessness that many experienced strikers spend years trying to develop.

There are few wasted shots. Only Guimaraes, Fulham's Harry Wilson and Manchester City's former Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo have outperformed their xG (expected goals) more in the Premier League so far this campaign.

Whether or not he reaches this particular landmark at Arsenal, Kroupi's debut campaign has already marked him out as one of the division's most exciting young forwards - and another potentially very valuable asset uneathered and platformed by Bournemouth.

All statistics provided by Opta

Sam Davis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

It feels inevitable that despite losing so many defenders last summer, Bournemouth's current key man at the heart of the backline will be heading out the door in a few months' time.

Marcos Senesi has been a warrior at the back ever since signing for the club in the summer of 2022. His stature on the south coast has only enhanced since then, particularly following the departures of fellow centre-backs Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi at the start of this season.

Sadly for the Cherries, Senesi has not signed a contract extension and will have plenty of suitors when it comes to its conclusion this summer, with the likes of Liverpool, Juventus and Barcelona already linked.

It is no surprise that the European elite are circling around the Argentine. He ranks second in clearances in the Premier League this season and is also ranked highly in terms of blocked shots by defenders. Plus, his passing stands out too, whether that be progressive, dangerous or simply with his accurate long-ball passing range which helps fuel Bournemouth's counter-attacking threat.

Fortunately for the Cherries, the emergence of James Hill has helped the defensive unit and there is plenty of excitement around teenage Serbian Veljko Milosavjlevic. The club also spent a fair chunk of money of French defender Bafode Diakite in the summer, although he has struggled to adapt - however, he is another one who the club will look to if Senesi were to depart.

Europe's elite may well be ready to pounce to grab Senesi on a free transfer, but there is no doubt Bournemouth will try their best to convince him to stay. Can the Cherries sell the project once more and keep hold of their Argentine? The fans will certainly hope so!

Find more from Sam Davis at Back of the Net, external

Crystal Palace are believed to be moving on to other managerial targets as Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is unlikely to make the switch to Selhurst Park. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Shamoon Hafez
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Who will win the Premier League player of the season?

That won't be announced until towards the end of May but we already have a pretty good idea of the contenders, based on players' performances so far this campaign.

Arsenal are leading the way in the title race and should they win, the likes of defender Gabriel and midfelder Declan Rice will surely be in contention but more unexpected stars like Igor Thiago and Antoine Semenyo will likely be in the mix.

A player with 19 goal contributions in the Premier League this season, Semenyo has been one of the stars of the top flight for Bournemouth and then Manchester City following his move in January.

The 26-year-old immediately hit his strides under Guardiola and scored on his debut in the 10-1 hammering of Exeter City in the FA Cup, one of eight goals for City since his £62.5m transfer from the Cherries.

By featuring against Real Madrid, Semenyo became just the fourth player to compete in non-league, all four professional divisions in England and Europe's elite competition.

The Ghana winger would have wanted to win major silverware at City and did just that when lifting the EFL Cup following his side's brilliant win over Arsenal at Wembley.

Read more on the contenders for player of the season

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

With Bournemouth's men halfway through a three-week spell without a first-team fixture, it was the chance for the women's team to take centre stage at the weekend.

Loftus Road has not traditionally been a happy hunting ground for the Cherries men, who did not win there in 14 attempts between 1959 and 2021, although that sequence finally ended with a gritty 1-0 win in the Championship in 2021-22, followed by a 3-2 FA Cup success there in 2024.

However, on Saturday, the Shepherd's Bush location was the neutral venue for the Women's National League (WNL) Cup final, a competition contested by the 72 teams in the third and fourth tiers of the women's pyramid, with Bournemouth taking on WNL Southern Premier Division promotion rivals Plymouth Argyle.

And it was the Cherries who struck early, with Bermuda international Kenni Thompson netting directly from a corner, emulating Marcus Tavernier's 'Olimpico' for the men's team against Nottingham Forest in October.

While the lack of a second goal to kill the game off meant a nervy last few minutes, with goalkeeper Katie Scadding repelling attempts to puncture her clean sheet, Bournemouth held on to lift their fifth trophy in four years, after their WNL Division One South West title and WNL Plate double last season, and back-to-back Hampshire Senior Cups in 2023 and 2024.

It also completed a remarkable sequence of eight games in this season's WNL Cup – three in the group stage, and five knockout ties – without conceding a single goal in the competition.

The final can still be viewed in full on BBC iPlayer for another 26 days.

While a pair of recent defeats – Bournemouth's first league losses since March 2023 – have left them trailing second-placed Plymouth, who occupy the promotion play-off position, by six points, the Cherries still have two games in hand as they chase promotion to WSL 2.

And while such a promotion would likely mean a sea change in terms of moving towards full-time contracts, the Cherries have already broken new ground by handing boss Helen Bleazard a fresh three-year contract to become the club's first ever full-time women's head coach.

Tom Jordan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Cherries fans are still nervously waiting to see whether Andoni Iraola will sign a contract extension with the club, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.

Fans are clutching at any scraps of news in the hope their main man stays.

Andoni's presence at a recent match involving the club's under-21s has only intensified discussion among supporters about his future, with some questioning why a manager expected to depart would take such interest in Bournemouth's emerging talent if he were planning to move on.

There is however a possibility that the head coach was purely keeping an eager eye on returning first-team winger, Ben Gannon-Doak. The Scottish youngster returned to the first team for a short cameo last time out, having previously not played since the start of November because of injury.

The future of Andoni simply must come to its conclusion one way or the other, and the gaffer himself has indicated a decision will be made, and the fans will be made aware, very soon.

It's fair to say Cherries fans are desperate for Iraola to stay and extend his contract, but I'd say it currently feels very 50/50 on whether they believe he will.

Andoni will clearly have a lot of suitors, and now that the club he supports in Athletic Club have announced their manager is set to depart come the season's conclusion, the fear amongst Cherries fans is growing.

Another club to reportedly signal their interest is Crystal Palace, however this has been branded as "tittle-tattle" by many, and certainly on Andoni's part, with an ownership at Bournemouth who are certainly prepared to be ambitious - a potential move across to south London would be nothing short of baffling.

Find more from Tom Jordan at Back of the Net, external

Bournemouth are happy to sell Julian Araujo, the 24-year-old right-back on loan to Celtic, this summer. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The last international break of the season, coupled with a lack of involvement in the latter stages of the FA Cup, have combined to give Bournemouth more than three weeks off between games, with no fixture between 20 March and 11 April.

As it stands, their last seven games should then play out in a straightforward one-game-per-weekend, although potential spanner in the works remain, as should Leeds United make the semi-finals and/or Manchester City reach the final, the Cherries' league games on those weekends would be rearranged.

With no league action until after Easter, fans' thoughts will naturally turn to the uncertainty around head coach Andoni Iraola's future as the Spaniard's contract enters its last few months.

Certainly, there can be no doubt in his mind how much the club, and the supporters, would love him to extend his stay on the south coast.

"It means a lot to me. I feel very valued," Iraola told Sky last week when asked about the affection he enjoys, while remaining politely tight-lipped about his future, having insisted all along that he has been happy to sign contracts on a year-by-year basis in the past.

However, while there has been plenty of speculation in the past year or so linking Iraola with other English clubs, one piece of news announced last Friday has left Cherries fans fearing the worst.

Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde confirmed that he would be leaving the Bilbao side at the end of this season after three spells in charge, and it would be inconceivable that Iraola – a former Athletic Club captain who made over 400 league appearances in a 12-year stint – would not be among those shortlisted as Valverde's replacement.

Acknowledging the speculation, Iraola insisted on Friday that while the Valverde news affected him "as a supporter" of Athletic Club, his focus remained with the Cherries.

And while remaining in Dorset would keep him at the helm of a club with an exciting young squad, a new state-of-the-art training ground, a stadium due for long-awaited expansion this summer, and a stable ownership determined to keep the club on an upward trajectory, the pull of returning "home" cannot be quantified.

The next few weeks may provide some answers.

Tom Jordan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The World Cup will soon be upon us and it remains to be seen just how many of the Cherries squad will be involved, but there are plenty of potential candidates.

The trio of nations hosting the tournament all have players within the Bournemouth squad, with some more fancied to get the nod than others. Despite a number of injury woes, Tyler Adams remains a key cog for Mauricio Pochettino's United States side and would fully expect a call-up, and while Julian Araujo and Daniel Jebbison are away on loans, they'll both be keen to be involved too.

Araujo's injury issues may be the only thing stopping a Mexico call-up, but Jebbison certainly looks set to compete to be the main frontman for Jesse Marsch's Canada side.

As for British hopefuls, Bournemouth have plenty of players champing at the bit to earn places on the plane. Scotland should have a couple of Cherries within their squad, with Ryan Christie remaining a pivotal player for them, plus Ben Gannon-Doak will be an exciting option.

England may have an abundance of quality competing for places, but Alex Scott is still banging on the door. If Wales qualify, David Brooks too will most certainly get a spot in their squad.

It still feels surreal to have both Bournemouth and Brazil in the same sentence, but there could well be a Cherry heading to the World Cup with the five-time winners. Rayan has recently received his first call-up to the senior national team, and similarly, Evanilson has a chance - albeit unlikely.

In terms of recent call-ups, Amine Adli has also managed to do just that for Morocco and should feel confident about remaining in the current Afcon winners' squad. Also, another to be rewarded with a call-up of late is Marcos Senesi with Argentina, so his impressive season should certainly see him on the plane also.

Some less likely but potential shouts include both Adrien Truffert and Junior Kroupi for France, Alex Jimenez for Spain and, if he can get fit, Justin Kluivert for the Netherlands.

Find more from Tom Jordan at Back of the Net, external

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Everton 3-0 Chelsea

• Fulham 3-1 Burnley

We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Charl: First-class performance from the whole squad, including timely substitutions. Bournemouth never let up, they kept the pressure on United until the last kick - superb! Every player deserves credit. Andoni Iraola, you are a magician!

Tony: A fairly even first half, but Bournemouth continued to grow in the second period and by the end looked more likely winners, even without the sending off. Good game!

Simon: Another draw but happy with that, and the performance coming from behind twice. Other years, Cherries lose that by two or three goals. All three penalty decisions were correct and good to see VAR supporting on-field decision for once, empowering a referee further. Pleased Christie scored and with his right foot. Kroupi did well with his penalty kick. Seven more games, and seven wins instead of more draws?

Phillip: Crazy game, but we take a point!

Man Utd fans

Adam: The team is alive right now, and it's fantastic to see after how bad things were under the previous coach. It's just a shame that awful refereeing decisions stole the show and denied victory. Like the Afcon final, will United get the three points on appeal or at least a rematch? Seems only fair after the farcical performance from the officials.

Chris: It's a pity a poor refereeing decision is yet again the main talking point. It overshadowed what would have been a good result had United been awarded a second penalty. That said, there were periods United were in control but couldn't find the killer pass to finish Bournemouth off and, if you can't do that, you will always be vulnerable. Arguably, United's display deserved more than a single point. Despite the points dropped, they are still masters of their own destiny.

Lyn: Once again, a referee/VAR screws up - nothing new there. Once again, we get ahead and then fall off - nothing new there. We struggle against high-intensity teams and that needs to be addressed in summer. Overall, though, a draw is OK.

Bob: Excellent performance and an exciting game utterly ruined by another woeful display from PGMOL.

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

This has been a strange season for Bournemouth in that they started it superbly, had a big dip in the middle but have picked up once again and are embarking on a club record-equalling run.

Kroupi's penalty ensured they extended their unbeaten run to 11 games and keeps them just about in the hunt for finish in the European places as they sit 10th, one point off eighth place.

They arguably had the better of this game until Bruno Fernandes' penalty but lacked a clinical touch in the final third.

However, they produced the battling qualities that has been them go undefeated for so long to twice come from behind and earn a deserved point.

But while their unbeaten run is impressive it is now five successive draws, which they know they will need to start turning into wins if they are to snatch a finish in the European spots.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraolia, speaking to BBC MOTD: "We wanted three points and we played well enough, but they looked dangerous every time they came forward. We played really well and at the end, probably because we finished against 10 men, we were the closest team to winning it. It's a challenging game against Manchester United.

"We have the advantage we can see replays quickly and I didn't think there was anything in that one [Amad Diallo penalty appeal]. I think the Evanilson one and the Matheus Cunha one are both penalties because defenders lose the position and then the Amad one is never a penalty. We asked for one in the first half - Harry Maguire with two hands behind his back but I don't think that was enough for a penalty either. I don't think there is much to discuss.

"A draw against United is a good result. But 15 draws, and in some of those we deserved more. We have equalled our record in the Premier League with 11 games [unbeaten] but it's going to be very difficult to beat it because we play Arsenal away next. We will have to be very good to beat that record."

Speaking to Sky Sports, Iraola was asked about his future and links to Athletic Club in Spain: "It doesn't have anything to do with me. It is my club but, no, it doesn't affect the situation. I've said a lot of times I'm very happy here. I have a great relationship with the club and it's true that we will have to take a decision according to this, but it's a situation I have had most of my years as manager. It is not new to me."

Hear more from Iraola speaking to BBC Radio Solent about his future here

Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie told BBC Radio Solent it was a "strong performance despite the frustrating draw".

Hit play below to hear more from Christie or listen on BBC Sounds here

Did you know?

• Bournemouth are unbeaten in their past 11 Premier League games (W4 D7), equalling their longest such run in the top flight (also between November 2024 and January 2025).

• The Cherries are only the second team to have an unbeaten run of more than 10 games and a winless run of more than 10 matches in a same Premier League season, alongside Liverpool in 2002-03.

• Junior Kroupi became the first teenager to score a Premier League penalty against Manchester United and just the fourth to net home and away against them, after Nicolas Anelka in 1998-99, Jermain Defoe in 2001-02 and Matty Longstaff in 2019-20.