Manchester City v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League 2026/27
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Alex Scott of Bournemouth during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on August 23, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Leeds United supporters can begin to get excited for the return of club football this weekend.
After the long international break, United have the unenviable task of travelling down south to take on the reigning champions Arsenal on Saturday.
However, looking beyond that game, the Whites are set to face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday 31 October.
Even though that game is some way off, United have seemingly been handed a major boost ahead of kick-off already.
Bournemouth star Alex Scott expected to miss Leeds United clash through injury
Bournemouth have had a tough start to life under their new boss Marco Rose this season. The Cherries are winless in their first five Premier League outings. Their three draws and two defeats leave them in 17th.
Rose’s men have taken the lead against Manchester City, Everton and Newcastle this season. But they have failed to convert any of these games into wins.
It was always going to be a tough season for Bournemouth after losing their manager, Andoni Iraola, to Liverpool. They also have to balance a Europa League campaign alongside their Premier League one.
But this task has just got even more difficult for the Cherries, it seems. According to a report from Alex Crook, Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott has pulled out of the England squad due to an injury he sustained prior to the 7-0 win against Croatia.
He also claims that this injury could sideline Scott for two months. This would mean the 23-year-old misses the game against Leeds, which is a huge boost for Daniel Farke’s side when considering how impressive the midfielder has been for club and country this season.
Alex Scott injury essentially confirms ‘Pantomime Villain’ will start against Leeds
For the first two of Bournemouth’s Premier League games this season, former Leeds player and academy graduate Lewis Cook partnered Scott in midfield.
However, in the three league games since, it has been another former Leeds player who has started ahead of him, Tyler Adams.
To put it mildly, Adams’ relationship with the Leeds fanbase is frosty.
Following our relegation in 2023, the American reportedly threatened legal action against Leeds to ensure he got his move away.
Understandably, this has completely ruined Adams’ reputation in West Yorkshire.
When Leeds played Bournemouth at the Vitality last season, the travelling supporters made their feelings to Adams very clear.
The American midfielder also gave it back to the Leeds fans in response, goading them after Bournemouth went 2-1 up in the 85th minute.
However, in what was one of the most satisfying moments of last season, Sean Longstaff’s 97th-minute screamer ensured we salvaged a point. Arguably, more importantly, it sent Adams home that night with his tail between his legs.
Considering Scott is set to miss the game against us at the end of the month through injury, that all but confirms that Cook will partner Adams in midfield against Leeds, or so you would imagine.
So after acting like a pantomime villain the last time he came up against his former club, we likely won’t have to wait long until this rivalry with Adams is renewed.