Bournemouth vs Wolves FA Cup Preview

• Bournemouth to qualify
• Both teams to score

A place in the FA Cup quarter-finals is up for grabs as Bournemouth and Wolves lock horns at the Vitality Stadium just a week after their closely contested Premier League clash.

Both sides secured 2-0 wins in the fourth round, with Bournemouth overcoming Everton and Wolves eliminating Blackburn Rovers.

However, while Andoni Iraola’s Cherries have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals in their FA Cup history, Wolves—four-time winners of the competition—are aiming to reach the last eight in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1990s.

After recent league defeats, both sides will be eager to return to winning ways. Bournemouth have lost their last two league games, including a 2-1 defeat to Brighton in midweek, while Wolves fell 2-1 to Fulham, putting them in a precarious 17th place in the Premier League.

Key Stats & Facts

• Bournemouth have never progressed beyond the FA Cup quarter-finals, reaching that stage only twice before (1956-57 & 2020-21).
• Wolves have lost just one of their last six competitive games (W3, D1, L2).
• Bournemouth have lost two of their last three league games since their FA Cup fourth-round win.
• Wolves have already won at the Vitality Stadium this season, beating Bournemouth 1-0 in the Premier League last weekend.
• Bournemouth have not lost three consecutive home matches since December 2019.
• Matheus Cunha has scored in three consecutive FA Cup games and is aiming for his fourth in a row.

Bournemouth: Can The Cherries Bounce Back?

After two consecutive Premier League defeats, Bournemouth need a response to avoid a third straight loss at the Vitality Stadium.

Andoni Iraola’s side have already produced two impressive FA Cup wins, demolishing West Brom 5-1 before seeing off Everton 2-0 in the fourth round.

However, defensive frailties have been exposed recently, and with key absentees in the backline, they could be vulnerable against a Wolves side that beat them last week.

A win here would match their best-ever FA Cup run and give them a much-needed confidence boost in their quest for European football next season.

Recent Form (All Competitions)

• Premier League: Brighton 2-1 Bournemouth – Loss
• Premier League: Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves – Loss
• Premier League: Newcastle 2-2 Bournemouth – Draw
• FA Cup: Bournemouth 2-0 Everton – Win
• Premier League: Bournemouth 3-1 Nottingham Forest – Win

Key Player: Dango Ouattara (Forward)

• Has nine goal contributions in his last 11 Premier League appearances (6 goals, 3 assists).
• A key attacking threat, capable of stretching Wolves’ defence.
• Could thrive with Bournemouth missing key midfielders.

Wolves: Can They Make It Two Wins In A Week At Bournemouth?

Wolves may be battling relegation, but their FA Cup form has been solid. Vitor Pereira’s men have already won two away games in the competition, beating Bristol City and Blackburn.

However, their inconsistent form has seen them lose two of their last three league matches, with a 2-1 home defeat to Fulham in midweek raising concerns.

With the Premier League relegation fight intensifying, Pereira may prioritise survival over a cup run, but history beckons as Wolves seek back-to-back quarter-final appearances for the first time since the 1990s.

Recent Form (All Competitions)

• Premier League: Wolves 1-2 Fulham – Loss
• Premier League: Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves – Win
• Premier League: Wolves 2-0 Aston Villa – Win
• FA Cup: Blackburn 0-2 Wolves – Win
• Premier League: Wolves 0-3 Manchester City – Loss

Key Player: Matheus Cunha (Forward)

• Scored in three consecutive FA Cup games this season.
• Has been Wolves’ primary attacking threat in recent weeks.
• Can exploit Bournemouth’s weakened defence.

Bournemouth Team News

• Ryan Christie (adductor) is doubtful after being forced off against Brighton.
• Julian Araujo (thigh), Marcos Senesi (thigh), Enes Unal (knee), and Adam Smith (unspecified) remain out.
• Ilya Zabarnyi serves the second game of a three-match suspension.
• Evanilson could make his FA Cup debut after returning from injury.

Wolves Team News

• No new injuries from midweek.
• Leon Chiwone (knee), Yerson Mosquera (knee), Enso Gonzalez (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Rodrigo Gomes (groin), Goncalo Guedes (knee), Hwang Hee-chan (thigh), and Emmanuel Agbadou (thigh) remain out.
• Sam Johnstone is likely to replace Jose Sa in goal.
• Jorgen Strand Larsen could start up front after recovering from injury.

Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Meetings in All Competitions)

Key Trends

• Wolves have won three of the last four meetings.
• Bournemouth haven’t beaten Wolves at home since 2015.
• Three of the last four encounters have been won by a one-goal margin.

Match Prediction

Given Bournemouth’s attacking strength and Wolves’ inconsistency, this should be a tight and competitive clash.

Wolves won at the Vitality Stadium just last week, but Bournemouth will be eager to avoid a third straight home loss and should come out firing. Both teams have key players missing, particularly in defence, which could lead to an open game.

With extra time and penalties a real possibility, Bournemouth’s home advantage might just give them the edge in a nervy shootout.

Final Score Prediction: Bournemouth 2-2 Wolves (Bournemouth win on penalties)

• Bournemouth to recover from back-to-back defeats.
• Matheus Cunha to continue his FA Cup scoring streak.
• Wolves to push them all the way but fall short on penalties.

For more info on this game, you may also visit:
Fixtures – Emirates FA Cup – Competitions | The Football Association