Background
West Ham United face their second home game in succession on Saturday when AFC Bournemouth come to the Boleyn Ground.
The Cherries are new to the Barclays Premier League, having lifted the Championship title last term, but will arrive in east London with no points to their name from their opening two fixtures.
However, performances have been better than that, and narrow 1-0 defeats to Aston Villa and Liverpool could easily have gone the other way.
West Ham, meanwhile, will be keen to bounce back quickly from the disappointment of defeat to Leicester City last weekend.
Slaven Bilic’s men were on a high after defeating Arsenal in their season opener, but goals from Shinji Okazaki and Riyad Mahrez meant Dimitri Payet’s reply counted for little.
The history
Bournemouth have risen rapidly up the leagues to their current standing in the top flight.
Just six years ago they were in League Two, but Eddie Howe has steered them on their upward trajectory to now be fighting it out amongst the game’s elite.
The Hammers and Bournemouth have only been in the same division for one previous season, when they both featured in Division Two in 1989/90.
Back then West Ham defeated Bournemouth 4-1 at home and drew 1-1 away. The clubs have also met on three occasions in cup action, with the Hammers winning all three ties.
The more obvious historical links between the teams lie in the players who have played for both, with Harry Redknapp’s position as a former player and manager at both meaning many young Hammers cut their teeth at Dean Court during his tenure.
The likes of Jermain Defoe and Rio Ferdinand went on loan there, while current Bournemouth youth coaches Stephen Purches and Carl Fletcher both played for West Ham.
Match info
Team news
West Ham United
Mauro Zarate will miss out for the Hammers after suffering a hamstring injury in training this week. The Argentine is likely to return to action following the international break.
Enner Valencia (leg) and Andy Carroll (knee) remain on the sidelines, while Darren Randolph will fill in for Adrian in goal, who serves the first game of a three-match ban.
Pedro Obiang will be pressing for a first start in West Ham colours after impressing from the bench last weekend.
AFC Bournemouth
Eddie Howe is unlikely to change much around after his team’s impressive performance at Liverpool on Monday night.
Harry Arter (groin) is their only long-term absentee, while new signings Sylvain Distin and Tyrone Mings await their debuts.
Match facts
- Saturday’s referee is Jonathan Moss. The Tyne & Wear official will be assisted by Simon Long and Andy Halliday. The fourth official is Peter Bankes.
- West Ham and Bournemouth have met five times before, with Bournemouth never winning. West Ham have triumphed on three occasions, while there have been two draws.
- The two teams last met in the League Cup in 1999, when Eddie Howe started for Bournemouth and the Hammers won 2-0.
- Adrian’s red card against Leicester means he will miss his first Premier League match since New Year’s Day 2014, ending a run of 58 consecutive starts.
- Callum Wilson has earned eleven penalties since the start of last season, more than any other player. In that time only Swindon Town have won more spot kicks, with 14 to their name.
- Andrew Surman’s tally of 167 passes from the first two games in the highest in the Premier League.
Betting
Our principal sponsors Betway analyse the betting markets ahead of Saturday’s game here.Tickets, travel, coverage and other info
- Tickets for Saturday’s game have SOLD OUT. However, they may become available online as Season Ticket holders relist.
- The District and Hammersmith & City lines serving Upton Park are due to run as normal on Saturday. Check here for up to the minute updates on the Tube network and here for National Rail.
- whufc.com will carry live updates, photos, stats and audio commentary throughout the day. Get involved in the conversation on social media using #WHUBOU
- Saturday is set to be a lovely day, with sunny skies and temperatures hitting 29C (84F) at kick-off.