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Postecoglou expects 'battle' at Dean Court against Cherries

A win for the Cherries will see them overtake Spurs in the Premier League, with the London side sitting in seventh holding 20 points.

The Cherries will be hoping to climb from 13th in the standings, where they currently hold 18 points.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou said Bournemouth are ‘a tough challenge, not just of late but from last year’.

In his pre-match press conference, he said: “They came here and were really aggressive with their football.

“Especially at their place, they’ve beaten City and Arsenal at their place.”

The Cherries’ previous performances have seen them beat Arsenal 2-0 in October, and take three points off City with a 2-1 win back in November.

Elsewhere, Andoni Iraola’s side have missed out to Brentford and Brighton 3-2 and 2-1, before beating Wolves 4-2 on Saturday.

Postecoglou continued, saying: “They are one of those sides where they have a real consistency in performance and approach, so you know that you’re in for a battle.”

He went on to say: “I’m really looking forward to it.”

The pair most recently collided in December 2023, where Spurs won at home 3-1.

Since Postecoglou took over as head coach of Spurs in June 2023, Bournemouth have faced losses in both matches played against them.

The most recent clash in December, and previously a 2-0 loss at the Vitality in August 2023.

In terms of team news, Postecoglou faced questions on if Dominic Solanke could be a last minute decision to face his former club in Bournemouth.

Solanke missed Sunday’s clash between Spurs and Fulham due to illness, but Postecoglou mentioned the forward would be returning to training ahead of Thursday’s match.

He said: “He is still not 100 per cent but has definitely improved from the weekend. That’s it.”

Solanke left Bournemouth to join Spurs in August 2024, and since then has scored four goals in ten appearances for the London club.

Whilst playing for the Cherries, he made five appearances versus Spurs, scoring one goal against them.

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