Bournemouth

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport senior journalist

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Bournemouth's FA Cup adventure is over, but as April begins, they find themselves in a situation for which most fans would have settled at the start of the season.

With nine games to go, despite only taking one point from their past four league games, they are only three points away from a likely European qualification spot.

Andoni Iraola's side face two games in the space of four days against 18th-placed Ipswich and 16th-placed West Ham as they seek a first league win since mid-February.

They will welcome back defenders Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez, who both missed the FA Cup quarter-final through suspension.

But while fellow defenders Marcos Senesi and Adam Smith also made comebacks in the cup after several months on the sidelines, handing Iraola more options in defence than he had for most of the winter, the Cherries have depth concerns further forward.

Marcus Tavernier missed the cup game with injury, while Iraola reported on Tuesday that Justin Kluivert was a doubt to face Ipswich. With Luis Sinisterra already back in the treatment room and Enes Unal out for the season, suddenly attacking options look limited.

Another potential selection headache involves possible suspensions. Ryan Christie and Antoine Semenyo are now both on nine yellow cards in the Premier League - though Christie has been walking that tightrope for a while, while also attempting to manage a groin problem that is llikely to need surgery in the summer.

A 10th caution for either player in the next three games - against Ipswich, West Ham or Fulham - would mean a two-match ban as the cut-off point for 10 bookings is each team's 32nd league game.

Thankfully for Iraola, no other player has more than six league cautions to his name, so only Christie and Semenyo are at risk of totting up 10 before the deadline.

Bournemouth have lost a bit of form of late, going out of the FA Cup and taking only one point from their past four league games.

They really need a positive result to get back on track, so who better to face than an Ipswich team who are struggling badly?

I thought Bournemouth played well in the first half against Manchester City on Sunday and carried a goal threat - but the mindset of the Ipswich players is likely to be a bigger factor in what happens in this game.

The bottom three are doing so badly that we maybe should have relegated them over the international break - it feels like all three of them need a miracle if they are going to survive from here.

As I've said many times, I actually like the Ipswich model and how they play, and I am a fan of Kieran McKenna as a manager.

I have felt for them this season and, out of the bottom three sides, they have given it the best go at staying up, but it is quite a damning statistic that they are the only side in the top five tiers of English football yet to win a league game in 2025.

Maybe the international break will have done them good but this feels like an open goal for Bournemouth, who are still right in the race for Champions League football next season.

The Cherries needed two late goals to win at Portman Road before Christmas but I am not sure McKenna's side will put up the same fight this time.

It is starting to feel like they are resigned to their fate, and they might have to think about how they will bounce back next season - if they can keep their squad together then I'd be confident that will happen.

There will be suitors for Liam Delap, of course, but if he wanted to move somewhere nice he could just come and live in Norwich - it is quite a long drive to Ipswich though.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Following their 2-1 win at Portman Road in the reverse fixture, Bournemouth are looking to complete their first league double over Ipswich since 1949-50 in the Third Division South.

Ipswich have only won one of their 16 away league games against Bournemouth, beating them 3-2 in September 1953. This is their first visit since a 2-2 draw in the Championship in November 2014.

Tyrese King
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Ipswich at Vitality Stadium (kick-off 19:45 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Iraola revealed he is still "not completely sure" about the availability of some of his players but "Justin [Kluivert] is the one we are more in doubt with" because "he finished with some issues and we have to check today to see if he's ready to go again".

• On Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez returning from suspension: "It's very good to have Huijsen and Kerkez back because they are in a good moment of form."

• On asked what message he has for clubs linked with the defensive duo: "I don't comment. For me, I don't have to give other clubs any comments."

• Iraola said having Adam Smith back is "very good news" because he has been a "very important" member of the squad.

• On whether being out of the FA Cup will help the chances of qualifying for Europe: "I would have preferred to still be in the FA Cup and play more games, but we cannot change our reality. We had our chance and we tried, but it wasn't enough. City were better than us, especially in the second half and it's them who will play in the semi-finals. We need to focus on the league."

• Iraola believes his side were not "good enough" in the second half of the quarter-final: "We have normally been good in the second half of games, scoring lots of goals, but now it concerns me a bit that we are losing points in the second half. Normally we are better at the end of games than we are at the beginning."

• On whether Bournemouth can play European football next year: "We will try to win every game and then we will see our position. We are 10th right now. Not long ago we were sixth, but distances are still quite short. At the end, we are competing for every game, and we have to take them as finals - very important games."

• On his lack of attacking options because of injuries: "It's a challenge for me, as a manager, if you cannot replace man for man, winger for winger in the same type of profiles. You have to manage the ones you have available and that impacts your decision on who starts and who comes off from the bench. Sometimes you start the best starting XI, others you put the best finishing XI."

• On opponents Ipswich: "They play with a very clear philosophy. I think they have dangerous offensive players. Liam Delap and Jaden Philogene are players who have the quality to make a difference."

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Sam Davis
Fan writer

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What is the first thing I would do for the run-in if I was the manager of AFC Bournemouth? The simple answer would be - not much!

While the recency bias of a league dip and cup exit suggests that "disappointment" should be the key emotion, it should not be forgotten that this is the best it has ever been as a Bournemouth fan, given the Cherries are only a couple of points off the club's best total in the top flight.

Add to that the fact that we have just equalled our best ever FA Cup campaign, it would be wild to change too much.

Although it feels alien to us Bournemouth fans, the realistic aim for the run-in genuinely is a stab at getting European football.

One of the many key players this campaign has to be Dean Huijsen. The centre-back has been nothing short of a revelation and he is unsurprisingly now being linked to every big club around. Reports suggest he has a £50m release clause in his contract, meaning that any club who bids this amount would have the chance to talk with Huijsen, with little the club can do.

Having signed in the summer for about £15m, it would be a healthy profit for Bournemouth, but he has been that good - which suggests that in today's market, even £50m sounds like a bargain for any suitor.

Therefore, the first thing I would do is demand that the club sort an improved contract for Huijsen, one which removes or changes the £50m release clause. There would be even better vibes around the place if that were to happen, and that may be the little lift to get Bournemouth over the line and ready to bring European football to the south coast.

Find more from Sam Davis at Back of the Net, external

Bournemouth want £45m for full-back Milos Kerkez, amid interest from Liverpool. (Times - subscription required), external

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Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Bournemouth's FA Cup exit could benefit them for the run-in as it allows them to have "tunnel vision" on qualifying for Europe via league position.

Andoni Iraola missed out on leading the Cherries to Wembley for their first FA Cup semi-final after they lost to Manchester City on Sunday.

"It's just a blip for Bournemouth," said Reo-Coker. "Now that they are out of the FA Cup, it can be tunnel vision for them now - just the Premier League to focus on.

"They need to get back on the winning track and get the results that they need. I don't think it's panic stations for them. They have had a promising season so far though they have some tough games coming up.

"But they are capable of beating anyone on their day. We have seen them put in performances - not by luck but by the quality they have and the good manager they have."

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We asked for your views on Manchester City's victory over Bournemouth in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans:

Tim: Five shots in the game and none after the 38th minute! Crikey, that doesn't sound like Bournemouth. Let's go all out for league points and recapture the form that has disappeared recently.

Mark: Classic game of two halves. First half intensity slipped away while City's subs made a difference but ours not so much. A must-win home game against the Tractor Boys on Wednesday under the lights.

Matt: A rollercoaster of emotions ended ultimately in disappointment. Gave it a right go first half, but ran out of steam, ideas and threat in the second. League points now the priority to avoid what would feel like a damp squib of a season.

Zia: I think the first half was the more dominant half for the Cherries but in the second half, they just fell asleep.

Man City fans:

Brian: A game of two halves. Bournemouth pushed City all the way but youth won the day in the second half and their belief and commitment shown. City are on track for a cup when a trophy was not at all likely this season. They are so dangerous in attack when the game is played at pace and with one-touch football. The new faces are smiling and that is the investment we need for the future. Defence has its issues and Pep needs to address the goalkeeping frailty. But this was a good day and they have their sights firmly focused on the FA Cup.

Clint: A fair result. City struggled to make inroads in the first half, without being overly-troubled, other than the goal. In the second half there was only one team in it. Nottingham Forest have flattered to deceive this season and Pep will, hopefully, have learned enough about them from the smash-and-grab a couple of weeks back. Would be lovely to finish the season with a cup final.

Geoff: We beat a nasty Premier League pub team and only suffered one injury - an excellent result.

Abdullah: All I've got to say is that Omar Marmoush is a real star player, and Nico O'Reilly is a must to keep for the future.

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Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has been speaking to ITV after today's FA Cup defeat: "I think the game first half we played very well but second half the game was for them. We couldn't keep the same intensity level, we were not as aggressive and we were a lot more passive.

"Even with the changes, we were lacking energy, especially up front. We were not able to play at the same level we did in the first half."

On whether Kepa should have saved Omar Marmoush's goal: "Yes probably. There is a chance but overall I don't think we lost because of this. Overall I think we were better in the first half, we played the game we wanted to play but second half they were better and we couldn't affect the long possessions. We were not dangerous enough."

On whether the injuries/suspensions in the side had a negative impact on the side today: "Yes. It isn't just the starting eleven. It gives you good options from the bench to give us the same level. I felt David Brooks, Evanilson, after 50 minutes or something - they can play but they don't play at the same intensity level, the press is not the same as before. We couldn't maintain that level."

On the goals for the team for the remainder of the season: "We need to recover quickly because we are playing in three days against Ipswich and try and win. We need to go again with the three points and improve our position."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance

What did you make of Manchester City's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies.

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The draw for the FA Cup semi-finals has been made.

Here are the two ties in the order they were drawn.

Games will be played at Wembley over the final weekend of April.

• Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth or Manchester City

• Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

This is such a difficult tie to call.

Bournemouth were the team who started the rot for Manchester City when they deservedly beat them in November, for what was the defending champions' first league defeat of the season.

Back then, they were still 'mighty City', the team dominating English football who hardly ever slipped up.

Who would have imagined that, five months on, they would have lost eight of their next 19 league games and be in the position they are now, with just the FA Cup left as the only thing they can win?

This competition is huge for City now, because it feels so crucial for boss Pep Guardiola to finish such a difficult season with a piece of silverware.

So, it helps him that the Cherries are not in great form, with only one point from their past four league games, and also that they are without two key defenders - Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen, who are both suspended.

City are still far from convincing at the moment, however, and it is hard to know what their strongest line-up is.

Phil Foden's struggles for England last week were a reminder of how last season's PFA and FWA Player of the Year has been a shadow of his usual self all campaign, but he is not the only City player to have been well below his best.

Still, there is no chance of Pep saving anyone for Wednesday's league game against Leicester, even though City have got a real fight on their hands to finish in the top five.

Pep always takes the FA Cup seriously anyway, and he has shown that by reaching the semi-finals in the past six seasons - something no other team had done before.

Will City make it to the last four again? Yes... but only just.

Bournemouth are so good with their press that they won't allow City to easily play out from the back - there are going to be plenty of goals, and I can see it being settled in extra time.

Sutton's prediction: 2-3 after extra time

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Will it be third time lucky for Bournemouth on Saturday?

Andoni Iraola's men are one win away from an FA Cup semi-final under the Wembley arch, but to get there they will have to see off Manchester City.

In a special edition of BBC Radio Solent's Cherries: Unpicked podcast, Jordan Clark and former defender Joe Partington discuss what will be the club's third FA Cup quarter-final to date against a side they have already beaten at home this season.

"Anyone at home suits Bournemouth this season as they have shown enough class at the Vitality to get the better of almost anyone," said Partington. "I don't see it as being as difficult as what some of the other potential ties could have been.

"I back Bournemouth at home against anybody this season and it should be a really exciting game - especially because they have already shown that they are capable of beating them. Those players don't need any more evidence that they can do it.

"Of course, no two games of football are the same and City probably have even more players that will only just be returning from international duty so it will be interesting to see their team selection.

"It is an amazing opportunity for Bournemouth."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

What would winning the FA Cup mean to Bournemouth? And how has Andoni Iraola inspired such a positive season?

The Bournemouth head coach sits down with Guillem Balague to talk through his career and his time at Vitality Stadium.

Before Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City, he explains how he prepares to face a side managed by Pep Guardiola.

Listen on BBC Sounds

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Young defenders Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez were the hot topic on the latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Cherries: Unpicked podcast.

Huijsen, 19, and Kerkez, 21, have been hugely influential in a superb season for Bournemouth under manager Andoni Iraola but both men will miss this weekend's FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City through suspension.

Speaking about how big a miss the pair will be to Bournemouth's backline, the club's official historian, Neil Vacher, said: "I think that is really significant, unfortunately.

"In an FA Cup competition, a few bookings leads to suspension, and Milos Kerkez was very, very unfortunate to get cautioned for his part in the melee that saw Matheus Cunha dismissed.

"While you can perhaps say that is an unlucky yellow when you're building up to a total of five or 10, in a cup competition that could be really, really vital. I'm hoping that we can overcome that."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Earlier, we asked which player has appeared in the most Premier League wins for Bournemouth.

The answer is Adam Smith, who has been involved in 76 victories.

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola believes his side have "the best tools" to progress after moving into a new state-of-the-art training centre.

The Cherries made the most of the international break, moving into a £32m training facility which will be used by the men's first team, the women's team and the academy.

It meets the requirements for Category Two status and has an indoor dome as well as outdoor full-sized pitches and rehabilitation facilities across the 57-acre site.

The project was first approved in October 2019 and its completion comes at a time when Bournemouth are on the up.

The club collected silverware last weekend when they were crowned FA Women's National League Division One South West champions following a 2-0 win against Bristol Rovers at Vitality Stadium.

Iraola's side host Manchester City this weekend in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and could reach the semi-final stage for the first time in their history.

They sit 10th in the Premier League table but are just five points away from fourth spot and have European ambitions.

The Spaniard held his first press conference at the new training base and said: "It's a big change for us, it's very new, we still have to familiarise but obviously it is a big improvement for the team, for the club.

"The pitches are perfect, we have all the tools we need but at least we cannot use any other excuses now because we have the best tools."

The Cherries finished 12th in their first season under Iraola, who joined from Rayo Vallecano in the summer of 2023, and look set to significantly improve on that position this campaign.

Asked about his future at the club, Iraola said: "I want to do my job the best I can. I don't know how far we can go, where we will finish.

"I'm really happy here. We have a great opportunity to make history and it would be amazing for me personally, for the club to achieve new heights but we know that we have to be realistic."

Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final game against Manchester City (kick-off 16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Iraola began by providing some good injury news: "Marcos [Sensei] definitely cannot play 90 minutes but I think he is going to be in the squad. We've worked well with Marcos, with Julian [Araujo] and Adam [Smith] is starting to do some things with the group."

• On the opportunity to reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in Bournemouth's history: "We have a big opportunity this weekend. We know the challenge, we know who we face but the reward is very big."

• Iraola continued: "I don't know if it is going to be enough to beat City but everyone has to give everything, the ones who play, the ones who don't play, us from the bench, the supporters. At the end, the reward for everyone is huge. When you face a competition with the chance to play at Wembley, for us this is something we have dreamed of."

• When asked whether he can achieve all of his management goals at Bournemouth, Iraola said: "I want to do my job the best I can. I don't know how far we can go, where we will finish. I want to do my job the best I can. If I don't do the job very well, they will find someone else. I'm really happy here. We have a great opportunity to make history and it would be amazing for me personally, for the club to achieve new heights but we know that we have to be realistic. There are better teams than us and we have to fight against teams that are very good. We will try to give the best level we have."

• On defender Dean Huijsen being linked with a potential transfer: "We are not surprised, probably because he has now made his national team debut [with Spain], he has played well, probably they are talking more about him. He has been playing consistently and I think he has performed very well. He has faced very difficult forwards but we already knew he was a very good player when he came in the summer."

• On the differences between the two sides since they last met in November: "We arrive in different moments, there has been a transfer window and new signings. I hope we give the level or close to the level we gave that day because I think we played very well. It is the only way to have a chance. If we are not at close to our very best level, it is going to be very difficult."

• On the Cherries' state-of-the-art new training facility at Canford Magna: "Big change for us, it's very new, we still have to familiarise but obviously it is a big improvement for the team, for the club. The pitches are perfect, we have all the tools we need but at least we cannot use any other excuses now because we have the best tools."

• On how the new facilities can take the club to another level: "The most important thing for me is the pitches. The pitches are perfect. Everything around, the gym, the pools, the physio rooms, everything is top level."

Follow all of Friday's FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news