Biggest game of the season so far

AFC Bournemouth host Swindon Town on Saturday for probably the biggest game of the Cherries League One campaign to date.

The Cherries head into the game on the back of a seventeen game unbeaten run in all competitions which coincided with Eddie Howe's return to the south coast after a spell in charge of Championship side Burnley.

The home sides League One form has seen the side go unbeaten in eight, including three consecutive victories without conceding.

Despite not securing a win at Dean Court until October, the Cherries now boast the second best home record in the division.

Swindon come into the game with a run of four consecutive victories, scoring 16 goals without reply.

Over the past six league games, the Cherries hold the best record in the division, whilst Swindon are the third most inform team.

AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe told afcb.co.uk...

"It`s similar to the last league game against Brentford with two form teams going head to head - I`m sure it will be a good encounter.

"Swindon have a good balance about their side. I have seen them a couple of times earlier this season and they impressed me then. When I was at Burnley, we played against them in the Capital One Cup, so I have seen them close up.

"We know they have goals in them as their recent record suggests. As always, we have to look at our own recent form, which has been very good.

AFC Bournemouth striker and top goalscorer Lewis Grabban is a doubt ahead of the game.

Grabban missed the Cherries FA Cup third round draw with Premier League side Wigan through illness and the forward hasn't trained all week.

Shaun MacDonald, Miles Addison, Darryl Flahavan, Stephen Purches and Charlie Sheringham all remain on the sidelines.

After being rested for the Cherries FA Cup encounter with Wigan, David James is likely to step back in ahead of Shwan Jalal.

The former England international has kept four consecutive clean sheets in recent weeks and has only conceded four goals at home in eight games, a run of form that dates back till October.

No team news.

Former AFC Bournemouth captain Danny Hollands returns to Dean Court for a second time since his departure in 2011 this weekend.

Hollands has spent the last two months on loan at Swindon after struggling for opportunities at Charlton.

So far Hollands has scored two goals in eight appearances.

Head to Head

Bournemouth wins - 42
Swindon Town wins - 38
Draws - 29

Last time out

The Cherries were beaten 4-0 at the County Ground in September.

Tuesday 15th January 2013, FA Cup Third Round Replay, AFC Bournemouth Vs Wigan Athletic, 3pm.

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