Boxing Day is here and with that brings the return of Premier League football after six weeks away, seeing Eddie Howe’s Mags travel to Leicester City.
Keeping form, fitness and today’s opposition in mind, here’s the side we expect to start come 3pm:
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock – Almiron, Wilson, Joelinton.
The back four picks itself at present, with Burn the preferred option at left-back after Botman and Schar have built a formidable partnership in the middle.
Hopefully Trippier and Pope can continue to be models of consistency after returning from England duty, with Wilson also in contention to return to Howe’s starting XI after starting in our Carabao Cup win over Bournemouth.
Longstaff and Willock are both in good form and should continue alongside Bruno in the middle, meaning it could be one of Joelinton or Saint-Maximin out wide. The latter is our difference maker and finally fit again, but big Joe is a key player who tends to start when fit.
If I had to put money on it, I’d back Howe to stick with the set up that’s helped us to six straight Premier League wins, meaning ASM could be limited to a cameo role at the King Power and start against Leeds instead?
