Tottenham Hotspur travels to the Vitality Stadium on January 7, 2026, to face AFC Bournemouth, with both teams looking to move up from the middle of the Premier League table.
This game pits a struggling Bournemouth side against a Tottenham team in mixed form:
- Bournemouth have hit a rough patch — winless in many recent matches and producing inconsistent results at Vitality Stadium lately.
- Tottenham arrive with slightly better momentum — unbeaten in their last few outings, though still inconsistent in away performances.
| Aspect | AFC Bournemouth | Tottenham Hotspur |
|---|---|---|
| League Position | 15th (23 points) | 13th (27 points) |
| Recent Form (Last 5) | Loss, Draw, Loss, Draw, Draw | Draw, Draw, Win, Loss, Loss |
| Head-to-Head Record | 4 Wins, 3 Draws, 11 Losses | 11 Wins, 3 Draws, 4 Losses |
| Top Scorer (League) | Antoine Semenyo (9 goals) | Richarlison (7 goals) |
| Key Absences | Tyler Adams, Ben Gannon-Doak; Antoine Semenyo (potential transfer) | James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus; Dominic Solanke (doubtful) |
| Tactical Setup | Predicted 4-2-3-1 | Predicted 4-2-3-1 |
Match Analysis & Key Battles
The outcome of the match could hinge on a few critical areas.
- Bournemouth’s Form vs. Historical Edge: Bournemouth’s most compelling form guide is their dreadful run of 11 Premier League games without a win. However, they have been a recent thorn in Tottenham’s side, winning the last two head-to-head meetings (both 1-0) and aiming for their first-ever league double over Spurs.
- Tactical Discipline vs. Attacking Struggles: In their 1-0 win over Tottenham earlier this season, Bournemouth’s organized, low-possession game plan (38% possession) effectively stifled Spurs’ attack, limiting them to very few chances. Tottenham’s season-long issue is a lack of cutting edge, averaging fewer than 10 shots per game—their lowest rate in decades.
- The Impact of Absences: Injuries could be decisive. Bournemouth may lose their top scorer, Antoine Semenyo, to a transfer. Tottenham’s problems are more severe, with key creative players James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Mohammed Kudus all out, and striker Dominic Solanke a major doubt. Their attack will be significantly weakened.
Prediction and Key Insights
- Most Likely Outcome: Draw. The combination of Bournemouth’s resilient recent record against Spurs, their desperate need to end a long winless run at home, and Tottenham’s extensive injury list to their attack makes a stalemate the most probable result. Multiple analysis sites predict a 1-1 draw.
- Score Prediction: Bournemouth 1 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur.
- Key Match Insights:
- Both Teams to Score: This is a likely outcome, as Bournemouth scores but rarely keeps clean sheets, while Spurs still have enough quality to find the net.
- Under 2.5 Total Goals: The last three Tottenham league games have had under 2.5 goals, and with key attackers missing, a cagey game is expected.
