Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

As for Swansea boss Luke Williams, he says tonight's cup tie could provide a "release" for his players away from their Championship schedule.

Swansea play a number of promotion contenders in the coming weeks, including a home game against leaders Leicester City the Tuesday after their trip to Bournemouth.

“I think it would be a brilliant way to encourage the team,” said Williams.

“It would be a brilliant way for fans to have something really exciting to look forward to, so it’s really important.

“Some players are in a position where they need to be looked after, not like ‘okay we can use this as wholesale change’, but in the same way as if we played a league game and we have another league game coming up quite close.

“Depending on the position you are in in the league, any cup competition can become a problem or depending on your position it can be a release."

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola admits his side are "thin" because of injuries, with full-back Max Aarons the latest to be sidelined after he was forced off during Sunday's loss to Liverpool.

But the former Spain international from the Basque Country is still keen to make the most of the Cherries' opportunity in this competition.

"For me it’s an FA Cup game and that's it," said Iraola.

"We have to earn the right to play in the next game and the next round and take it like it’s our last chance."

John Williams
Former Bournemouth defender on BBC Radio Solent and BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra

There's no doubt that this is the strongest team Andoni Iraola could have put out for Bournemouth.

And why not? There's not been a real rush of games and there's a week for the players to recover.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

These teams have already played each other this season, with Bournemouth winning 3-2 at the Swansea.com Stadium in the League Cup back in August.

That was Andoni Iraola's first victory as Cherries boss, coming courtesy of a Ryan Christie stoppage-time goal.

The game was also notable because Bournemouth stand-in captain that night, David Brooks, scored his first competitive goal since his return from cancer treatment.

Image source, Getty Images

• The only previous FA Cup tie between Bournemouth and Swansea was in November 2000. The Cherries won that game 2-0 with goals from Wade Elliott and James Hayter.
• Swansea are without a win in their past 12 games against Bournemouth in all competitions and have already lost 3-2 against them in the League Cup this season.
• No side has ever eliminated the Swans from both cup competitions in the same season before.
• Bournemouth have lost their past two home FA Cup matches against teams from lower divisions than them.
• Swansea City have lost their past six FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition, conceding three goals in five of those six defeats. Their last victory was in January 2014 away at Manchester United.
• Jerry Yates has been involved in eight goals in his last nine FA Cup appearances (five goals, three assists).

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea fans may be relieved to hear that tonight’s fourth round FA Cup tie at Bournemouth will see VAR in operation – five years after its absence arguably cost them a semi-final spot.

The Swans game away to Premier League opposition will have video assistant reviews in operation, as is standard for games in the top-flight.

Its controversial absence for Graham Potter’s side of 2019, who took on Manchester City in the quarter-finals at the Liberty Stadium, is still a sore point for many Swans supporters.

Swansea shocked Pep Guardiola’s men by taking a 2-0 lead but City – at the time chasing a quadruple – came back to win 3-2, with their equaliser a contentious penalty and the late winner from Sergio Aguero seemingly offside. It was the only quarter-final tie not to have VAR in use that night.

"I'm sorry it was offside," Guardiola said afterwards of the winner. "I don't understand why VAR is not used in this competition at this stage. Hopefully, next season this won't happen."

On the same subject, tonight’s referee is Darren England, who was at the centre of the VAR mix-up in Liverpool’s Premier League game with Tottenham earlier this season – and was also in the middle during last weekend’s game between Brentford and Nottingham Forest where VAR was unable to intervene when Bees striker Ivan Toney moved the ball to score from a free-kick.

Image source, BBC Sport

This week, BBC pundit Chris Sutton is taking on Justin and Arni from indie band The Vaccines.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

I didn't realise Bournemouth were missing a few players when I backed them to get a draw against Liverpool at the weekend, and Andoni Iraola's options might be limited here too.

But I hope Iraola goes for it in the FA Cup - Swansea are having a pretty average season so this is a great opportunity for the Cherries to reach the last 16, something they have only managed five times since they were founded in 1899.

The furthest they have got is the quarter-finals, in 1957 and 2021, and they have never won a major trophy, so if you're a Bournemouth fan then you want to see them have a go at it now - especially since they look like they are good enough to stay in the Premier League.

As long as Iraola goes with a strong side, I'd expect them to get over the line.

Arni's prediction: 2-0

I'd love to go with an upset in a tie like this but Swansea are away and I don't see a shock happening.

Justin's prediction: 2-0

I agree - Bournemouth should be too good for them.

Read the full predictions.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola also makes five changes from Sunday's 4-0 defeat at home by Liverpool in the Premier League.

Scotland international Ryan Christie makes his 100th appearance for the cherries in a side captained by Wales' David Brooks.

Injured full-back Max Aarons is replaced by Lloyd Kelly, while David Brooks, Mark Travers, Alex Scott and Marcos Senesi start.

Marcus Tavernier, Kieffer Moore and Justin Kluivert - goalscorers in the 3-2 win over QPR in the last round - are all on the Bournemouth bench.

Bournemouth: Travers; Hill, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kelly; Cook, Christie, Brooks (C), Scott; Sinisterra, Solanke.

Subs: Radu, Mepham, Kerkez, Kilkenny, Sadi, Kluivert, Semenyo, Tavernier, Moore.

Swansea head coach Luke Williams makes five changes from Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Southampton in the Championship.

Injured forward Jamal Lowe is replaced by Jerry Yates while Andy Fisher, Joe Allen, Charlie Patino and Kyle Naughton also start.

Carl Rushworth, Harry Darling and Jamie Paterson drop to the bench while Josh Tymon has been left out of the squad.

Swansea: Fisher; Ashby, Naughton, Wood, Humphreys; Allen, Grimes (C), Fulton; Patino; Cullen, Yates.

Subs: Rushworth, Pedersen, Darling, Paterson, Ogbeta, Bolasie, Lissah, Kuharevich, Cooper.

Image source, Getty Images

Good evening. Noswaith dda.

The fourth round of the FA Cup gets under way tonight and we've got you covered as Premier League Bournemouth host Swansea City of the Championship.

With both teams sitting comfortably in the middle reaches of their respective leagues, you'd think they'd fancy a cup run, wouldn't you?

Well, their selections tonight should give us an indication. First things first, let's have a look at the team news.