DOUBLE AFTER 75 YEARS? UNSTOPPABLE SEMENYO FACES LEAGUE'S MOST FOULING PLAYER!

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Bournemouth – Ipswich Town

April 1st, 2025

The Cherries are heading for a historic achievement. After a 2-1 victory at Portman Road, Bournemouth can complete a league double against Ipswich Town for the first time since the 1949-50 season. Back then, both teams met in the Third Division South.

For Ipswich, traveling to the south of England has traditionally been an unpleasant journey. The Tractor Boys have won just one of 16 league duels at Bournemouth, back in September 1953 with a 3-2 result. They last appeared here more than ten years ago, drawing 2-2 in the Championship in November 2014.

Matches between these opponents have long promised goal feasts. Both teams have scored in the last eight league encounters since March 1989. Bournemouth has even scored at least one goal in each of the last 11 mutual duels.

The hosts are going through a minor results crisis. After a series of excellent performances, they have lost three of their last four Premier League matches. At their own stadium, they have even recorded three consecutive defeats, which is a warning sign – they have never lost four times in a row at Vitality Stadium in top-flight history.

The visitors are in even worse shape. Ipswich has fallen in eight of their last nine league matches and currently lost four in a row. They last recorded a longer series of failures in December 2011 (7 defeats), and in the Premier League as far back as April 1995 (8 defeats).

Away games, however, are a source of hope for Ipswich. A full 59% of their points in this Premier League season come from away grounds (10 out of 17), which is the highest proportion in the entire league. Of the last four instances when the Tractor Boys avoided defeat, three came on foreign turf – a win at Wolverhampton in December and draws in London with Fulham and in Birmingham with Aston Villa.

From an expected goals (xG) perspective, both teams are among the most interesting in the entire competition. Only Liverpool (66.1) and Chelsea (57.1) have a higher expected number of goals scored than Bournemouth (53.8). On the other hand, only Southampton (69.6) has a higher expected number of goals conceded than Ipswich (58.3).

If Bournemouth scores the opening goal, the game is far from decided. The Cherries scored first in both recent matches, yet they didn't win either (1 draw, 1 loss). Since the arrival of coach Andoni Iraola, they have failed to secure victory in 14 matches in which they led 1-0 – only Brentford (16) and Tottenham (15) have more such cases.

The key man for the home team will be Antoine Semenyo, who has carried the ball 5,373 meters this season, more than any player except defenders. A total of 54 of his runs ended either with a shot (32) or creating a chance for a teammate (22). Only stars Cole Palmer (58) and Mohamed Salah (56) recorded more such actions in the league.

The clash between the two most fouling players in the Premier League will be particularly intriguing – Ipswich's Liam Delap (60 fouls) and Antoine Semenyo himself (59). It's no surprise that Bournemouth as a team has committed the most fouls in the entire competition (399).

We thank OPTA for providing the statistical data.