Andoni Iraola’s side head to Anfield to face Liverpool to bring the curtain up on what is set to be a thrilling season, as always.
Liverpool are defending champions, and they’ll be hoping to get off to a perfect start in the defence of their crown, but Iraola’s Cherries will hope to spoil the party on the opening night.
The Daily Echo previews Friday night’s game.
**Team news**
Andoni Iraola could be handed a double injury boost ahead of the trip to Liverpool, with Ryan Christie and Luis Sinisterra both due to train with the squad this week.
The boss said it may be too soon for the pair, who have not had a pre-season, but they are getting closer to a return and may make the squad.
_(Image: Richard Crease)_ Justin Kluivert has a calf problem that was meant to be a minor one - but he had not yet returned to training before the Sociedad game, with Iraola not hopeful that the Dutchman would be back for the trip to Merseyside.
The Cherries will be without Lewis Cook and Enes Unal, who are set to miss the first part of the season as they recover from significant injuries.
For Liverpool, there could be an immediate reunion for ex-Bournemouth left back Milos Kerkez, who joined the Reds this summer.
**Head-to-head**
The Cherries have won just twice in their history against the Reds, in December 2016 and March 2023.
Liverpool have had the better of the games between the sides, winning 19 of the 24 meetings, with three draws.
Last season, Bournemouth were beaten twice by Arne Slot’s side.
Away at Anfield in September, Liverpool comfortably won 3-0, thanks to a Luis Diaz brace and a Darwin Nunez strike, with all three goals coming in the first half.
_(Image: Richard Crease)_ The return fixture was a much tighter affair, with Bournemouth firmly in the game but falling to a 2-0 defeat thanks to a Mo Salah brace.
Salah first scored from the spot after Lewis Cook fouled Cody Gakpo in the box, before David Brooks thought he had equalised, only for the goal to be chalked off for offside.
After the break, the Cherries threatened but weren’t able to draw themselves level, and Salah scored a wonderful second 15 minutes from time to secure the points for the Merseyside club.
**Form**
Iraola’s side have had a solid pre-season, with victories over Hibernian and Bristol City in behind-closed-doors friendlies before their summer tour to the USA.
There, playing in the Premier League Summer Series, they comfortably beat Everton 3-0, before a disappointing defeat to Manchester United and a more encouraging loss to West Ham.
Bournemouth completed their pre-season campaign last weekend with a 0-0 draw against Real Sociedad at the Vitality Stadium.
The Cherries were not able to convert their chances although largely restricted their visitors, with Djordje Petrovic showing his quality in saving a penalty in first half stoppage time.
_(Image: Richard Crease)_ Liverpool, meanwhile, have won all but one of their pre-season games.
They began their preparations for the season with a 3-1 win over Preston, before a 5-0 victory against Stoke and a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Hong Kong.
The Reds then beat Yokohama in Japan, before returning to face Athletic Club in two games at Anfield.
First, they won 4-1, before a 3-2 win over the Basque club.
Liverpool returned to competitive action last weekend in the Community Shield, facing Crystal Palace.
There, they were beaten by the Eagles after a penalty shootout, following a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes.
AFC Bournemouth travel to Liverpool on Friday, August 15, kick off at 8pm.