Bournemouth's key fixtures in Premier League relegation battle

Come on, admit it. You didn't give them a shot. Not before the season began, and especially after Scott Parker was given his marching orders. Ever since they earned promotion back to the Premier League in May 2022, the vast majority consigned the Cherries to the drop.

And hey, they might still end up getting relegated. But did you envisage Bournemouth, one led by novice coach Gary O'Neil, being this competitive in 2022/23?

No way.

The south coast outfit will fight until the last, and they've given themselves a legitimate chance of survival with O'Neil proving his competence at the highest level and a couple of January signings quickly finding their groove.

Here's how Bournemouth's end to the season looks, including the most important fixtures heading their way.

• How many points are needed to avoid relegation from the Premier League

Key Bournemouth fixtures in 2022/23 relegation run-in

Leicester vs Bournemouth

Every game is crucial from now until the end of the season, but Bournemouth's next 'crunch' match doesn't arrive until 8 April when they take on Leicester at the King Power.

The Foxes are slumping quicker than the 2008 housing market and desperately need the international break to offer them some respite. Who knows how they'll look once they return from that two-week rest.

• 08/04/23 - Leicester vs Bournemouth (15:00)

Bournemouth vs West Ham

Bournemouth's home form hasn't exactly been great this season, but they've accumulated 16 points at the Vitality this season compared to eight on the road.

Their home form will be crucial down the stretch, and they play host to fellow strugglers West Ham in a mammoth relegation six-pointer on 22 April. With the Hammers set to advance in the Europa Conference League, this clash will arrive just a couple of days after their quarter-final second leg in the competition.

• 22/04/23 - Bournemouth vs West Ham (15:00)

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Southampton vs Bournemouth

Recent victories over Chelsea and Leicester in the wake of Nathan Jones' departure has given a young Southampton side a fighting chance of staying up.

This crucial encounter arrives just days after Bournemouth's home fixture against West Ham. It's bound to be a pivotal period in the relegation scrap.

• 25/04/23 - Southampton vs Bournemouth (19:45)

Bournemouth vs Leeds

Just when you thought Bournemouth were done with relegation six-pointers!

Their third monster clash on the bounce to round off April comes against Leeds on the south coast. The Cherries overtook Leeds in the table at the weekend following their victory over Liverpool.

• 29/04/23 - Bournemouth vs Leeds (15:00)

Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth

Palace have got to enjoy an uptick in form soon, right? Their current position is perilous having last tasted victory in 2022, that being a 2-0 win over Bournemouth on New Year's Eve.

Thus, the gap between themselves and 18th-placed Bournemouth is just three points and the Eagles' current form suggests that might shrink further by the time they play host to the Cherries in mid-May.

• 13/05/23 - Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth (15:00)

Everton vs Bournemouth

The curtain-closer, and what a game it could be! Many suspect Everton will be safe and well by the time this fixture rolls around, but their difficult schedule to conclude the campaign means that's far from a guarantee.

So, this final day match-up could have huge implications in the race for survival. We can already smell some vintage Barclays drama.

• 28/05/23 - Everton vs Bournemouth (15:00)

Remaining Bournemouth fixtures in 2022/23 season

• 18/03/23 - Aston Villa vs Bournemouth (15:00)
• 01/04/23 - Bournemouth vs Fulham (15:00)
• 04/04/23 - Bournemouth vs Brighton & Hove Albion (19:45)
• 08/04/23 - Leicester vs Bournemouth (15:00)
• 15/04/23 - Tottenham vs Bournemouth (15:00)
• 22/04/23 - Bournemouth vs West Ham (15:00)
• 25/04/23 - Southampton vs Bournemouth (19:45)
• 29/04/23 - Bournemouth vs Leeds (15:00)
• 06/05/23 - Bournemouth vs Chelsea (15:00)
• 13/05/23 - Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth (15:00)
• 20/05/23 - Bournemouth vs Man Utd (15:00)
• 28/05/23 - Everton vs Bournemouth (15:00)

Where are Bournemouth in the Premier League table?

Bournemouth's memorable 1-0 triumph over Liverpool at the weekend was followed up by West Ham dropping points at home to Aston Villa. That means the Cherries are level on points with the Hammers but their inferior goal difference leaves them in the relegtion zone.

They're also level on points with Leicester, who lost their fourth league game on the spin at the weekend.