Preview: Bournemouth vs. Coventry City - prediction, team news, lineups

Bournemouth and Coventry City will be eager to get back to winning ways following midweek draws when they meet in the Championship on Saturday.

The Cherries are second in the table and a point behind leaders Fulham, while the Sky Blues are fifth.

Match preview

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Bournemouth had to settle for a point away at Millwall on Wednesday night, meaning that they failed to reclaim top spot from Fulham, who they face in a mouth-watering clash next Friday.

Dominic Solanke scored his 16th goal of the season just before half time before former Cherry Benik Afobe equalised in the second half.

It means that Scott Parker's side have just one victory from their last four matches and are winless in two – they have not gone three games without a win so far this season.

The Cherries do have the best defence in the Championship though having conceded just 14 goals, while they have won six of their last seven matches at the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth won both games against Coventry last season by an aggregate score of 7-2, ending the Sky Blues' run of four successive wins against the South-coast side.

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Like their opponents, Coventry have stuttered in recent weeks and recorded only two wins from their last eight matches.

A 0-0 draw with Midlands rivals Birmingham City on Tuesday was their second successive goalless stalemate as Mark Robins was left frustrated by his side failing to take their chances.

Only three Championship teams have picked up fewer points away from home than the Sky Blues this season, who have won just two of their nine games on the road and scored only six goals.

Like Bournemouth, Coventry have another big fixture next weekend as they host third-placed West Bromwich Albion, who they currently trail by just one point.

Team News

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Bournemouth will have Philip Billing available again after the Danish midfielder missed the trip to Millwall through suspension.

Gary Cahill suffered a knock at The Den so will be assessed ahead of the game; if neither he or Lloyd Kelly is fit then Steve Cook could be handed a first league appearance of the season.

Jordan Zemura and Ben Pearson remain sidelined, while Adam Smith is "back on the grass" ahead of a return.

Coventry midfielder Gustavo Hamer was taken off in midweek as a precaution following a bang to the foot, but Mark Robins hopes to have him available for the trip to the South coast.

Jake Clarke-Salter (Achilles) and Martyn Waghorn (shoulder) continue to be absent through injury.

Robins could decide to play an extra midfielder for more solidity against the Cherries, which would likely see Matt Godden drop out for Jamie Allen.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:

Travers; Stacey, Mepham, Cahill, Davis; Lerma, Kilkenny; Christie, Billing, Anthony; Solanke

Coventry City possible starting lineup:

Moore; Hyam, McFadzean, Rose; Dabo, Hamer, Sheaf, Maatsen; O'Hare, Allen; Gyokeres

We say: Bournemouth 2-0 Coventry City

With Bournemouth strong at home and Coventry shaky away, we think that it will be the Cherries who get back on track on Saturday afternoon. Injuries continue to hamper Scott Parker's side, but as long as Dominic Solanke is firing they will always be favourites.