Championship Final Weekend Preview
By Ryan Wrenn
Bournemouth
Likely Season Result Runners-up and automatic promotion
Manager Eddie Howe
Bournemouth celebrated perhaps a bit prematurely after their 3-0 win Monday against Bolton. They could be forgiven though as it would take something like a 19-0 defeat against Charlton Athletic Saturday to prevent them from second place and automatic promotion. Plus, of course, this will be the first time in Bournemouth’s history that they’ll compete in the top flight of English soccer. Manager Eddie Howe has presided over a remarkable three promotions over two stints with the club since 2009. This latest and most unlikely of promotions solidifies his legend status with the club and is made all the more significant by the fact that he’s done it with a relatively unpolished team. Lacking Watford’s cosmopolitan owners or the pedigree of other top clubs Middlesbrough and Derby, Bournemouth’s promotion is one of the better success stories to come out of the Football League in recent years. Star turns from relatively unknown players like Callum Wilson and Matt Ritchie kept the Cherries competitive throughout the season. Wins against Watford and Middlesbrough in February and March, respectively, kept the club in the running for the top spot, only really falling off contention with a draw against Sheffield in mid-April.
Prediction Like Watford, Bournemouth can be confident of their promotion to the Premier League. They should be able to avoid that 19-0 scoreline against Charlton and go on to a memorable first season in the top flight.