What will Bournemouth's starting line-up be against Wolves?

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Gary O’Neil is under serious pressure at the Vitality Stadium with The Cherries in really tough form ever since he was given the job on a permanent basis. In fact, their general run of poor form extends further than that with just two victories in 16 matches across all competitions and both of those wins coming against Frank Lampard’s Everton in the space of three days in the EFL Cup and the Premier League.

Given those struggles and desperation to find the right formula, alongside some busy but impressive January business, predicting a Bournemouth line-up is a difficult task as O’Neil himself is unlikely to know what eleven to put out.

Neto has displaced Mark Travers in goal and is expected to retain his place, despite the January transfer window arrival of Darren Randolph from West Ham United. In front of Neto is a depleted back-line.

Club captain Lloyd Kelly is among those that will be missing from this match due to injury. As well as Kelly is their very impressive deadline day coup, Illya Zabarnyi, who is also injured. Summer signing from Feyenoord, Marcos Senesi, is also a major doubt due to injury. Another summer signing, full-back Ryan Fredericks, is also out.

That means Jack Stephens, on loan from Southampton is expected to start in the centre of defence with Senesi hoping to pass a late fitness test. If the Argentine is ruled out of contention then Chris Mepham would likely start for the strugglers. Jordan Zemura and Adam Smith should start at left and right back respectively, although Matias Vina is fully fit to make his debut, having joined on loan from Roma.

In midfield, Bournemouth are without key man Lewis Cook due to injury, as well as attacker David Brooks. Instead of Cook, Jefferson Lerma is expected to start in midfield alongside Philip Billing and Hamed Junior Traore, who started last weekend in their 1-1 draw with top four chasing Newcastle United.

The real quality addition in an attacking sense in the January transfer window, Dango Ouattara, is expected to start once again with the Burkina Faso international already impressing on the wing. He will start on the opposite flank to Jaidon Anthony, who scored from an Ouattara assist against Nottingham Forest last month. Ryan Christie and Junior Stanislas are other options.

Up-front, Bournemouth have had trouble finding someone to score consistently with both Kieffer Moore and Dominic Solanke missing key chances but also showing signs of adapting to the top-flight. Antoine Semenyo is unlikely to start with Solanke likely to be given the nod up-front.

PREDICTED XI (4-4-1-1): Neto; Smith, Stephens, Senesi, Zemura; Outtara, Lerma, Billing, Anthony; Traore; Solanke

UNAVAILABLE: Zabarnyi (Injured), Cook (Injured), Kelly (Injured), Fredericks (Injured), Brooks (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE: Senesi (Injured)