Bournemouth, currently ranked 15th in the Premier League standings, will try to stop the strong run of league leaders Arsenal when they meet at Vitality Stadium on Sunday (4/1).
Bournemouth have failed to win their last 10 matches, with their last victory coming on October 26, a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would be mistaken if he assumed Bournemouth would be an easy opponent to handle.
The Cherries often put up a tenacious fight against the big boys. Their last two meetings with the giants ended in draws: 4-4 against Manchester United on December 16 and 2-2 against Chelsea on December 30.
Arsenal are rightly favored to take home all three points from this match. The Gunners have won four straight Premier League games, and although Bournemouth will try to rely on their tenacity and fighting spirit, it doesn't seem like it will be enough to stop Arsenal's rampage.
Second-placed Manchester City will play on Monday (January 5th). Like Arsenal, City are in positive form, having won six straight Premier League games. In Week 20, City will face another blue-hot team, Chelsea.
Chelsea currently sits fifth in the table, 10 points behind City. Putting aside the points difference, Chelsea are also in poor form, having failed to win any of their last three league matches.
Arsenal will play earlier than City, so if the Gunners can beat Bournemouth, it will likely increase the pressure on City's squad.
Third-placed Aston Villa will be looking to return to winning ways. They were thrashed 4-1 by Arsenal in their previous match, and this weekend they host bottom-placed Nottingham Forest.
Defending champions Liverpool, currently in fourth place, will play on Friday (January 2nd). The Reds, who have a three-match winning streak in the Premier League, will host bottom-placed Leeds United.
