With today’s 3pm kick-off at Kenilworth Road just a few hours away, it’s time to predict which side Eddie Howe will go with in our final game before Christmas.
Keeping in mind injuries, the opposition and potential fatigue, here’s the 11 I think we’ll see:
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Trippier, Lascelles, Botman, Burn – Miley, Bruno, Longstaff – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
OUT: Krafth, Livramento and Wilson? – IN: Trippier, Burn and Isak?
It’s worth noting that there’s question marks over Isak, Gordon, Krafth, Joelinton and Schar going into the game, with Howe stating that late decisions will be made on all five.
The boss did, however, insist that Trippier is ‘OK’ despite concerns over his wellbeing and he seems the sort of character who’ll be determined to play and put things right after Tuesday. He’s also good in the air, which could be key against a physical Luton side who like to get crosses into the box.
With that in mind, I see us going for the height of Lascelles, Botman and Burn, with the latter pair only playing 45 minutes each in midweek. Livramento could do with a game off after playing so much football over the past month, yet he may be needed in attack if Gordon fails his fitness test.
Up top, I have a feeling Isak will return. Howe insists there’s no new injury, just a slight feeling in his groin from tiredness, but he’s had a break over the last two games and could give Wilson a rest. Our number nine looked shattered as we tried to hold on at Chelsea and has started three games in seven days. We’d be asking for trouble if he was forced to go again.
