Burnley will be a test for Bournemouth's central defenders

Simon Francis and Chris Mepham did well against Chelsea. They'll have a different test this weekend with Chris Woods and probably Jay Rodriguez lining up against them. Rodriguez has ripped AFCB apart before and Eddie Howe knows exactly how good he is having managed him at Burnley.
Simon Francis will look to have another impressive game this weekend.The aerial battle is the first thing that should be on Francis and Mepham's minds. They have to win the headers and look for midfielders quickly when they have the ball. The ling ball should be something they are well practised at after the last few weeks, but you can bet Burnley will try the ball over the top. Ashley Barnes is probably Burnley's best striker at getting on the end of those passes, but he has had a groin injury. But who knows who Dyche will start with for sure?
Advertisements In Off the Far PostChris Mepham did well enough against Chelsea to be enlisted in Alan Shearer's team of the week along with Jefferson Lerma. He played simple passes and made some great clearances, but I was probably more impressed with Simon Francis who had had a shocker a few weeks before against Wolves. He seemed more controlled and sure of himself fitting in at centre-back at Chelsea. Eddie Howe has faith in Mepham and Francis and with one clean sheet behind them already, he could have a new pairing on his hands that just happen to work well together than when they are individually paired with other Bournemouth centre-backs.
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While Steve Cook is trying to see if he might be able to play with a wrist cast, Eddie should be impressed enough to keep with Francis and Mepham while they are doing a good job. The cover for the centre-back position is stretched with just Jack Simpson likely to be on the bench if Steve Cook isn't able to play yet. But I think Mepham and Francis may get the Christmas games now and they'll probably prefer playing Burnley to seeing what they face on Boxing Day with Lacazette and Aubameyang. Luckily they'll have a bit more time to prepare for the that fixture.

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