Premier League action returns to the Vitality Stadium as AFC Bournemouth prepares to host Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, for matchday 21 of the 2025-26 season. With both teams hovering in the lower half of the table, this clash promises to be a pivotal moment in their respective campaigns. The stakes are high, the squads are battered, and fans from Bournemouth to North London are eager to see which side can seize momentum as the season enters its crucial stretch.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. GMT (2:30 p.m. ET), and the match will be broadcast live in the United States via NBCSN and Peacock, while UK viewers can tune in on Sky Sports. Canadian fans have access through DAZN and fuboTV. The global reach of this Premier League fixture underscores just how much is riding on every point at this stage of the season.
Bournemouth, managed by Andoni Iraola, currently sits 13th in the league table with 27 points after 20 games. Their recent form has been a mixed bag: a 1-1 draw against Sunderland on January 4 followed a thrilling but disappointing 3-2 home defeat to Arsenal just a day earlier. In that Arsenal match, Bournemouth outshot their opponents 14 to 11 but still came up short. Eli Kroupi Jr and Evanilson provided the goals, but defensive lapses proved costly. The Cherries have now scored 31 goals in 20 games—good for eighth in the Premier League—but have conceded 38, ranking them 17th defensively. Their -7 goal differential places them 15th overall, a stat that will surely concern Iraola as he looks to shore up the back line.
Tottenham Hotspur, led by Thomas Frank, finds themselves in 15th place with 23 points from 20 matches. Spurs’ most recent outing was a 1-1 home draw against Sunderland on January 4, with Ben Davies netting the lone goal for the North Londoners. In that match, Tottenham outshot Sunderland 11 to 9 but couldn’t find a winner. Their previous games include a 0-0 draw at Brentford and a narrow 1-0 win at Crystal Palace, but also a tough 2-1 home loss to Liverpool. Offensively, Tottenham has scored 28 goals in 20 games (10th in the league), while defensively, they’ve conceded just 24—sixth best in the division. That translates to a +4 goal differential, ranking fifth in the Premier League, a sign that while their attack isn’t firing on all cylinders, their defense has generally held firm.
Injuries and absences are set to play a significant role in Wednesday’s match. Bournemouth will be without Tyler Adams (knee), Ben Gannon-Doak (thigh), Ryan Christie (knee), Matai Akinmboni (muscle), Justin Kluivert (knee), and Will Dennis (ankle). Tottenham, meanwhile, is missing Mohammed Kudus (thigh), Yves Bissouma (away at AFCON), Pape Sarr (also at AFCON), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (knee), and Dominic Solanke (ankle). These absences will test the depth of both squads, forcing managers to rely on emerging talents and tactical flexibility.
The predicted starting lineups reflect these challenges. Bournemouth is expected to line up with Petrovic in goal; a back four of Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, and Truffert; Cook and Scott anchoring the midfield; and an attacking quartet of Semenyo, Tavernier, Brooks, and Evanilson. Tottenham’s likely XI features Vicario between the posts; Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, and Davies in defense; Gray, Bentancur, and Bergvall in midfield; and Simons, Tel, and Richarlison leading the line.
Key players to watch for Bournemouth include Antoine Semenyo, who has bagged nine goals in 19 appearances and contributed three assists, and Eli Kroupi Jr, who has six goals in 18 games. Marcus Tavernier (four goals, two assists) and Evanilson (three goals) round out a dynamic attack that has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled for consistency. Bournemouth’s recent results illustrate their unpredictable nature: a 2-2 draw at Chelsea, a 4-1 loss at Brentford, and a 1-1 home draw with Burnley, in addition to that wild 4-4 draw at Manchester United.
For Tottenham, Richarlison remains the main attacking threat with seven goals and three assists in 20 games. Micky Van de Ven, with three goals from defense, and Joao Palhinha, who has chipped in with two goals and two assists, provide additional options. The absence of creative forces like James Maddison and Mohammed Kudus could hamper Spurs’ ability to break down Bournemouth’s defense, placing extra pressure on Richarlison and the supporting cast.
Statistically, Bournemouth has been favored in 10 matches this season, posting a 4-4-2 record in those contests. When favored by at least +115, they’ve won three out of five times, giving them a 46.5% implied chance of victory according to the moneyline. Tottenham, often the underdog, has won three of 11 matches in that role and twice as a +229 underdog or greater, with their implied probability of winning standing at 30.4%.
Bookmakers are expecting a tight contest, with the total goals line set at 2.5. The prediction from FOX Sports tips Tottenham to edge Bournemouth 2-1, and the over on goals is favored at -143. Of course, football has a habit of defying expectations, especially when two sides with so much to prove collide under the lights.
Looking at the broader context, both clubs are desperate for a positive result to spark a turnaround. Bournemouth’s defense has been leaky, but their attack—led by Semenyo and Kroupi Jr—has shown it can trouble any opponent. Tottenham, on the other hand, will look to leverage their defensive solidity while hoping Richarlison can provide the necessary firepower. The absence of key midfielders and attackers for both teams adds an extra layer of intrigue: will a young player step up, or can a veteran provide a moment of magic?
Fans should also keep an eye on tactical adjustments from Iraola and Frank. Will Bournemouth push forward aggressively at home, risking exposure at the back? Or will Tottenham’s counter-attacking approach catch the Cherries off guard? The managers’ decisions could prove decisive, especially with so many absentees forcing changes to the usual game plan.
With both sides in need of points and neither able to field a full-strength lineup, Wednesday’s match at the Vitality Stadium is shaping up as a fascinating, unpredictable encounter. The action is set to kick off soon, and as the teams take to the pitch, supporters across the globe will be watching to see who can grab the initiative and breathe new life into their season.
As anticipation builds, one thing is certain: with Premier League survival and pride on the line, neither Bournemouth nor Tottenham can afford to leave anything in the tank. The stage is set for a dramatic evening on the South Coast.
