A relegated Leicester City will visit Bournemouth for a dead rubber match on the final day of the 2024/25 season, with Ruud van Nistelrooy set to leave at the end of it.
Andoni Iraola will have been utterly disappointed at how his team squandered a golden chance to get into a European place after another promising campaign. By the end of February, Bournemouth, who face Leicester City this weekend, were in fifth place. However, two victories in the next twelve games have restricted their chances to mount a considerable challenge for one of the continental tournaments.
Earlier this week, a visit to the Etihad to face Manchester City was the final nail in their coffin with regards to European qualification, as a defeat there all but ended the last lingering hope. Ahead of the final day of the season, the Cherries can finish 12th as their lowest position, but could also make it to the top ten with a victory if teams above them drop points.
As for Leicester City, this is the end of the road in the Premier League for now, after a dismal season upon their return to the top flight. The former title winners are now a shadow of the great team of 2015/16, and there is plenty of work ahead for them to make something in the Championship and find a way for a swift return to the top flight.
Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to leave the Foxes once the season concludes, as Leicester City are inclined to go in another direction with regards to the new season. After being terrible throughout the season, Leicester City have been on a good patch of form lately as they are without a defeat in their last three games, which includes wins over Southampton and Ipswich Town, while they found a point against Nottingham Forest recently.
However, Jamie Vardy deserves a word after he played his 500th and final game for Leicester City in the 2-0 win over Ipswich Town. He finished his time there by scoring his 200th goal for the club, and he has chosen not to play in this final game of the season away at Bournemouth.
Team News & Tactics
Bournemouth
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola could field a few of his current stars for the final time in a Cherries shirt when they take on Leicester City, as Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez are expected to depart in the summer. There are rumours about Antoine Semenyo as well, with a lot of big clubs looking at the attacker ahead of the window.
As for injury-enforced absentees, Enes Unal, Ryan Christie, Dango Ouattara and Luis Sinisterra are out of contention, while Lewis Cook will miss out with a suspension following his red card against Manchester City. In any case, Iraola still has the tools to field a strong lineup, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, another one of the players who will leave as things stand, fixed between the sticks.
Adam Smith, Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi and Kerkez will form the back four for the Cherries, while Alex Scott and Tyler Adams could form a midfield partnership. Semenyo, Justin Kluivert, and Marcus Tavernier are all set to feature in the attacking setup alongside striker Evanilson.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Araujo, Huijsen, Zabarnyi, Kerkez; Scott, Adams; Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson
Leicester City
Without Jamie Vardy in the squad, Leicester City will still be able to name a lineup similar to the one they fielded in the win over Ipswich Town. One of Patson Daka or Jordan Ayew could feature in place of the legendary Foxes forward.
Meanwhile, Abdul Fatawu, Mads Hermansen, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, and Stephy Mavididi are all missing from action. There is also the chance that Ruud van Nistelrooy recalls Facundo Buonanotte into the lineup, with Bilal El Khannouss and Kasey McAteer are all expected to feature in the attacking setup.
Ricardo Pereira, Conor Coady, Wout Faes, and Luke Thomas will feature at the back, with Oliver Skipp and Wilfred Ndidi in central midfield.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Stolarczyk; Pereira, Coady, Faes, Thomas; Ndidi, Skipp; McAteer, Buonanotte, El Khannouss; Ayew
Key Stats
Bournemouth are undefeated in their last seven home matches against Leicester City in all competitions.
Bournemouth have won only one of their last seven Premier League games at home.
Leicester City have scored at least two goals in their last three matches in the Premier League.
Leicester City are undefeated in their last three Premier League games.
Bournemouth have scored 13 goals via substitutes in the Premier League this season, second only to Fulham (17).
Player to Watch
Antoine Semenyo
Embed from Getty Images
There is nothing specific to pick from the host of players ahead of this game, although Semenyo’s name might be crucial as this could be his last appearance for Bournemouth. There are other players like Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and even Justin Kluivert, who could leave for a bigger challenge, Semenyo might be their biggest loss in terms of attacking threat.
There is an expectation from the Ghanaian international to perform well in this game against Leicester City, as a load of big clubs are circling for his signature. It remains to be seen whether he will wear the red and black stripes of the Cherries next season. But for now, he is probably expected to depart for a bigger club in the summer.
Prediction
Bournemouth 2-2 Leicester City
Both teams have nothing to gain or lose ahead of this game, as Leicester City have been showing some good form of late. The Foxes are unbeaten in their last three league games, and Ruud van Nistelrooy will want to go out on a high note and improve this undefeated streak.
As for Bournemouth, they will be a bit deflated after their chances of European football vanished in midweek, as there is only pride to play for. Andoni Iraola must see off this group ahead of the summer break in good spirits, which is probably the only reason for a good performance here. As things stand, our prediction is for an entertaining draw at the Vitality between these two teams.