Bournemouth – Port Vale, England League One
2004-10-16 16.00 CET
Pick: Bournemouth
Stake: 3%
Odds: 1,91
Final reasons
Bournemouth has played well lately and is in a four game unbeaten run. All parts of the team are working and if they can continue to perform as they recently have shown they will be a real contender for a play off spot this season. Tomorrow when they meet away strugglers Port Vale they are almost at full strength so we believe that they will make it three victories in a row at home. Port Vale has big problems up front since they only have one fit striker available. A home win is expected and we stake 3%.
General comment about the game
Good and stable home team Bournemouth will be visited by less impressive away team Port Vale on Saturday in the English League One. After last week’s victory at home Bournemouth now has three wins and one draw from their four latest games in the league. This good run has made them climb up to seventh place and a play off spot in reach. Last week we suggested a bet on Bournemouth when they were visited by struggling Stockport. It turned out to be a good bet since Bournemouth won very comfortable with 2-1. The hosts commanded the game from start to finish and had a well deserved 2-0 lead before Stockport made a consolation goal late on. Worth mentioning is that the partnership in central midfield from Brian Stock and John Spicer is working better and better which was apparent especially in the game against Stockport. It seems as the team has come over the loss of influential midfielder and former captain Carl Fletcher. Further good news is that two important regulars from last season, striker Steve Fletcher and defender Steven Purches is starting to gain back match fitness after their injuries. Both played in the reserves this week and came through unscratched. Also, central defender Eddie Howe (11(1) apps, 1 goal) who returned to Portsmouth after last weekend’s game since his loan spell was over, has rejoined the squad for another month and is available for selection on Saturday. No new injury or suspension worries ahead of tomorrow.
Port Vale is currently in mid table staying at 13th place. They usually are a very competent home side but on the road they struggle. Looking at their latest seasons they lose more than half of their away matches and they seldom win. Last season was their best for years and ended dramatically with them missing out on a play off spot only on goal difference. This was much due to their fine home record. Also this season it looks as if they will have to trust their strength at home; so far their away record is as usual with four defeats from six attempts. In all Port Vale started well this season but recently they have been in a negative run of four straight defeats. However, that spell ended last weekend when they beat newcomer Doncaster with 2-0 at home. The game was quite even but some less impressive defending from the visitors earned the hosts three points. Unfortunately, Port Vale striker Lee Matthews (7(4) apps, 2 goals) got injured in the game and had to limp off in second half. He is expected to be sidelined for up to four weeks and this news has further intense Port Vale´s manager Martin Foyle’s big concerns up front. Now he only has one fit striker to field against Bournemouth on Saturday, since Steve Brooker (9 apps, 5 goals) departed to Bristol City and injuries on Matthews and Ian Armstrong (5(1) apps, 3 goals). Furthermore, midfielder Robin Hulbert (11 apps) and goalkeeper Mark Goodland (5 apps) are also unavailable. On the positive side is that long term injury victim and central defender Michael Walsh finally has shaken of the problems he has had since March and will be in contention on Saturday. Also fellow defender Steve Rowland (5(1) apps) who has been out since late August may be in contention again. Worth to mention is that new loan signing Marc Goodfellow made a good debut in the last game and has strengthened the squad.
Recent league games for home team
|
2004-10-08 |
Bournemouth-Stockport |
2-1 |
|
2004-10-02 |
Blackpool-Bournemouth |
3-3 |
|
2004-09-25 |
Bournemouth-Doncaster |
5-0 |
|
2004-09-18 |
Sheffield W-Bournemouth |
0-1 |
|
2004-09-11 |
Bournemouth-Colchester |
1-3 |
Recent league games for away team
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2004-10-08 |
Port Vale-Doncaster |
2-0 |
|
2004-10-02 |
Colchester-Port Vale |
2-1 |
|
2004-09-25 |
Port Vale-Blackpool |
0-3 |
|
2004-09-18 |
Brentford-Port Vale |
1-0 |
|
2004-09-11 |
Port Vale-Huddersfield |
0-3 |
Home table
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Bournemouth |
6 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
13-8 |
11 |
Away table
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Port Vale |
6 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6-8 |
4 |
Links for this game
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// SportsObserver 041015
