Bournemouth head to Nottingham Forest this weekend to start their 2024/2025 Premier League campaign, and they do so without their star striker Dominic Solanke, who was sold to Tottenham earlier this week.
Match Preview
Although it is the start of a new season, it worth taking a look at the form of both sides in their previous head to heads, with Forest being winless against the Cherries in their last 8 encounters; with 5 losses and 3 draws.
Bournemouth
The big issue for Bournemouth coming into this game is the lack of a proven goalscorer, with the side having not yet signed a replacement for Solanke.
Justin Kluivert looks like the only other genuine threat for Bournemouth going forward, with the player having bagged 9 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions last season, but that's a far cry from the return that Solanke was bringing in before his big move to London.
Recent Form
In terms of opening games of the domestic season, Bournemouth come into this unbeaten in their last four opening matches of the season,
Pre-season form is not always an indicator of how a side can come into the start of the domestic campaign, but the Cherries were able to get 2 wins and 2 draws during their preparations ahead of 24/25, with wins against Rayo Vallecano and Girona.
Injury news
OUT: Enes Unal (ankle), Tyler Adams (back), David Brooks (shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE: Neto (back), Marcos Senesi (head)
Nottingham Forest
Nuno Espirito Santo starts a (hopefully for him) full season for Forest after replacing the outgoing Steve Cooper in December. The former Wolves manager will be hoping to improve on last season, although a return of 22 points from 21 games (1.05) since his appointment was enough to keep them in the Premier League.
Recent Form
Forest have a far worse opening day record than Bournemouth, losing all of their last five, which could play in the Cherries' favour.
The side played 6 pre-season games head of the Premier League's return, getting 3 wins and 3 draws, which included wins against Chesterfield, Millwall and Olympiacos.
Injury news
There are no injury concerns for Forest as of writing, which should help Nuno and co massively against the Cherries.
Player To Watch
Nottingham Forest
New signing Nikola Milenkovic could be a solid addition to the team, with the Serbian centre back providing more security at the back.
Bournemouth
With Solanke now gone, it will be the new signing of Turkish striker Enes Unal that fans will be looking to to fill the gap. With him injured and out of the opening game, Iraola’s counter-pressing system will probably rely more on Kluivert for the time being.
Prediction
Bournemouth are going to struggle in front of goal without Solanke, but Forest don't appear to possess an out and out goalscorer themselves, so I think this will be a close affair.
My Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0 - 1 Bournemouth
Betting Angle
Kluivert is coming in at 11/4 to score anytime for Bournemouth on Sky Bet, which I can see happening to help the Cherries to a 1-nil win.
Bournemouth 
Notts Forest 
