Bournemouth vs West Bromwich Albion. Premier League.
Vitality StadiumAttendance11,184.
Saturday 10 September 2016 14:15, UK
Jack Wilshere is expected to start for Bournemouth as they chase their first Premier League win of the season at home to West Brom.
The 24-year-old joined the Cherries from Arsenal on a season-long loan on Deadline Day in a bid to play more first-team football this campaign.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said signing the midfielder was a "big moment" for the club, who were playing League Two football in 2010.
"I think it is a brave decision for his career but hopefully a good one," Howe said. "Hopefully when he looks back in a year's time, he will see it as a turning point in his career for the better.
"If you had said to me [a few years ago] that we would have the opportunity to sign someone like Jack, I would have said it is not possible."
West Brom approach the match on the back of speculation head coach Tony Pulis was considering his future at the club after a frustrating transfer window, with chairman John Williams openly admitting that it was a "disappointment".
Bournemouth could be without Josh King after the 24-year-old suffered a hamstring problem while away on international duty with Norway.
Howe said there were a number of internationals who were facing late fitness tests but did not disclose names.
Hal Robson-Kanu is short of match fitness and will probably have to wait to make his West Brom debut.
Fellow new signing Nacer Chadli could be involved, while Chris Brunt has resumed training following his serious knee injury, but he is not expected to be available again until next month.
Bournemouth have kept just one clean sheet in their 12 previous league meetings with West Brom, conceding in each of their six home games.
The Baggies failed to win either of their meetings with Bournemouth last season, losing at home before drawing 1-1 in Bournemouth.
Salomon Rondon was sent off in the first meeting between these sides last season (December 2015), before scoring the opener in the 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium in May 2016.
The Cherries have picked up one win in their last 11 Premier League fixtures (D2 L8), and are winless in their last eight.
Similarly, the Baggies have collected one victory in their last 12 in the Premier League (D5 L6).
Josh King ended a run of six goalless Premier League games with the opening goal of the game against Crystal Palace.
Tony Pulis' side have scored just seven goals in their last 13 Premier League games.
Bournemouth have collected just two yellow cards in three Premier League games this season, but are one of two sides to pick up a red card.
Three of the five goals conceded by Bournemouth this season have been from headers (60%).
Only Arsenal (27) and Manchester United (25) have kept more Premier League clean sheets than West Brom (23) since Tony Pulis took charge in January 2015.
Since the start of 2010-11, Jack Wilshere has played just 33% of the possible Premier League minutes that he could have for Arsenal (6934 mins played from a possible 231 matches).
Wilshere has scored in his last two Premier League games against WBA - against no other opponent has he scored more often in the competition.
The Jack Wilshere factor will make a difference for Bournemouth because even if he can only last 70 minutes against West Brom, it will get the crowd up for it.
I usually do like the Baggies, and I know they don't score many goals under Tony Pulis, but I just feel they are such a threat from set-pieces.
If they can build pressure I think they'll score one, but it won't be enough.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Most popular Super 6 prediction: 2-1)
