Where will Bournemouth finish in the 2024-25 Premier League season? Odds, probable finish, signings, best players and full squad

After a good first season under Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth have really got going in the Premier League in 2024-25.

The Cherries finished 12th in the Premier League last season and were just one point outside the top half. They’ve only finished in the top half of the Premier League once, but now Bournemouth may have their eyes set on something bigger.

Iraola currently has his side eighth in the table, which may yet be enough to earn them a place in next season’s Uefa Conference League, depending on the outcome of the FA Cup. However, the Cherries now trail the top seven by eight points, with BetMGM giving them 100/1 odds of finishing in the top six — an implied probability of just 1%.

Latest Bournemouth odds to finish in the 2024-25 Premier League top four

Bournemouth’s transfer business

Bournemouth have had a busy season in the transfer windows, trying to ensure their squad is good enough to compete. In the summer, Luis Sinisterra and Enes Unal’s loan moves were made permanent, the latter coming in for £20m. Bournemouth forked out £31.7m for Brazilian striker Evanilson from Porto, while Dean Huijsen and Julian Araujo also arrived. Kepa Arrizabalaga was a loan signing. The biggest news in the summer, however, was the departure of Dominic Solanke. Kieffer Moore, Jamal Lowe, Lloyd Kelly, Darren Randolph and Ryan Fredericks were other permanent departures.

The Cherries got business done in the January window too, signing Eli Junior Kroupi, Julio Soler and Matai Akinmboni. Mark Travers, Max Aarons and Philip Billing went out on loan.

Who are Bournemouth’s most important players?

Bournemouth’s top Premier League Golden Boot contender: Justin Kluivert

When Solanke left Bournemouth in the summer, there were some questions as to how the Cherries would replace him. Evanilson has had a decent debut campaign for Bournemouth, though his progress has been hampered by injuries. Instead, Justin Kluivert has stepped up.

The Dutchman is Bournemouth’s top scorer this season with 12 league goals, three more than any other player. This is despite Kluivert sitting fourth among the Cherries for shots (56). Kluivert has been clinical with his finishing, with a 50% shooting accuracy and nine big chances scored from 15. His shot placement ratio is 1.22, improving his Expected Goals of 9.6 to 11.7 xG on Target.

Bournemouth’s primary playmaker: Marcus Tavernier

Now, Kluivert is also joint-second at Bournemouth for chances created and no player has more assists for the Cherries than his six. But he’s only one ahead of Marcus Tavernier, who would probably be ahead on chances created and assists if he hadn’t missed seven games due to injury.

Tavernier has still created 36 chances in the Premier League this season, averaging 2.08 per 90 minutes — the most of any Bournemouth player with at least 500 minutes played. He’s also averaged 0.29 big chances created per 90.

Bournemouth’s card magnets & top tacklers: Lewis Cook

It’s really a pick-your-weapon between Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie when it comes to tackles and cards for Bournemouth this season. Lewis Cook leads for tackles, at 76 compared to Christie’s 54, with the pair split by Tyler Adams on 74. He also averages slightly more per 90 at 2.53 to 2.28, with Christie having played fewer minutes. Cook has also been booked eight times so far this season, committing 46 fouls. But Christie has a whopping nine yellow cards so far and 43 fouls, averaging 1.82 per 90 to Cook’s 1.53.

Bournemouth’s rising star: Alex Scott

Alex Scott was one of the most sought-after players when he made his move from Bristol City to Bournemouth in the summer of 2023. The 21-year-old shone for the Robins in the Championship, and had his pick of suitors.

Bournemouth won the race and Scott had a decent first season with the Cherries. By no means a regular, Scott played just under 1,000 minutes in the Premier League with 11 starts and 12 substitute appearances. His season was, however, hampered by injury at the start of the campaign. And it’s been a similar case this time. The injury came in late October, after Scott had made eight league appearances with two starts. He has since returned but still only has 608 minutes to his name.

Bournemouth’s set-piece specialists:

• Penalties: Justin Kluivert
• Free kicks: Marcus Tavernier
• Corners: Lewis Cook/Marcus Tavernier

Bournemouth tactical analysis & formation

Bournemouth team stats from the 2023-24 Premier League season (avg per game):

• Corners: 6.21
• Shots on target: 4.87
• Shots on target conceded: 5.21
• Offsides: 1.47

Bournemouth 2024-25 player ratings*

• GK: Kepa – 53% – Although he still gets judged for his high transfer fee, the Chelsea loanee hasn’t fared too badly for Bournemouth. Kepa has averaged 3.27 saves per 90 and 0.05 goals prevented.
• RB: Adam Smith – 55% – He’s struggled with a couple of injuries this season, but Smith has averaged 2.31 clearances per 90 this season and 0.75 effective blocks on crosses, the latter placing him in the 95th percentile and above for full-backs.
• CB: Illia Zabarnyi – 60% – A strong centre-back partnership allows both players to complement each other. In this case, Zabarnyi effectively sweeps up danger, ranking highly in his position for clearances per 90 minutes with an average of 5.03.
• CB: Dean Huijsen – 64% – The Spain under-21 international has impressed this season, averaging 7.02 clearances per 90, 2.15 interceptions retaining possession and 1.1 blocked shots.
• LB: Milos Kerkez – 68% – Kerkez has lost just 0.43 challenges on average per 90 this season, placing him in good standing among full-backs. He’s also averaged 2.89 clearances per 90.
• CM: Lewis Cook – 61% – Cook averages 1.34 tackles won per 90 in the league this season, and has chipped in with 0.28 interceptions in his own box. His passing isn’t bad, averaging 10.42 accurate forward passes per 90.
• CM: Ryan Christie – 72% – If a word could describe Christie this season, it would be ‘hustle,’ with the Scottish international averaging 7.35 ball recoveries and 4.14 possessions won in the middle third per 90.
• RW: Antoine Semenyo – 68% – After a strong start, the goals have dried up slightly for Semenyo, but he’s still averaging 3.73 shots per 90 and 6.52 touches in the opposition box.
• AM: Justin Kluivert – 72% – Kluivert has been the man for goals this season for Bournemouth, averaging 0.61 per 90 from 1.36 shots on target.
• LW: Dango Ouattara – 76% – Ouattara has been reliable for Bournemouth, especially having to start up front in Evanilson’s absence. He’s averaged 0.42 goals per 90 and 0.54 big chances created.
• CF: Evanilson – 61% – Settling into a new league is not easy, though Evanilson is surprisingly second among all Premier League strikers in one statistic: penalties won per 90 minutes (0.32).

Andoni Iraola has favoured a 4-2-3-1 for Bournemouth since taking charge and it’s worked well for him. It’s a big surprise for Bournemouth to line up any other way.

Bournemouth’s full Premier League 2024-25 squad

Bournemouth FAQs

Where did Bournemouth finish in the 2023-24 Premier League season?

Bournemouth finished 12th in the Premier League last season, just one point outside the top half.

Who is the Bournemouth manager?

Andoni Iraola is Bournemouth’s manager, taking over from Gary O’Neil at the start of last season.

Who is the current Bournemouth captain?

Adam Smith is the current Bournemouth captain, replacing Neto after his loan departure.

What is Bournemouth’s best Premier League finish?

Bournemouth have only finished in the top half of the Premier League once, ending the 2016-17 campaign in ninth.

More Premier League 2024-25 content:

• Premier League 2024-25 outright odds
• Premier League 2024-25 Golden Boot odds
• Premier League net spend