Championship Cherries - Part 2

Last updated : 02 August 2013 By Bournemouth Co-Ordinator

Brighton & Hove Albion (H: 30/11 A: 01/01)

  HOME AWAY
PL   W   D   L   F   A   W   D   L   F   A
100  24  16  10  65  48  13  10  27  62  95

These south coast rivals are no strangers to each other having clocked up a century of games against each other in all competitions, the last time just 3 seasons ago. The big difference this season is that our friends along the coast now have a proper stadium to call home having up sticks from Withdean at the end of their promotion season in 2011 – and not before time. The Seagulls will be aiming to one better, having missed out on the play-offs last season. The match at Dean Court has already been selected as a TV match, while it's the second time the Cherries make the trip to East Sussex on New Years Day in recent years. History suggests a home win will prevail.

Burnley (H: 15/02  A: 09/11)

  HOME AWAY
PL  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F   A
19  4  3  2  11  6  -  5  5  6  18

Turf Moor is another ground where the Cherries have yet to record victory, even though they should have wiped the floor in an FA Cup tie in the 2004/05 season, which was the last time the two met, when the Cherries dominated, but failed to capitalise. I've not doubt this will be a match to relish for a certain management duo as they return to Burnley for the first time since their departure last October to turn the fortunes of AFC Bournemouth around.

Burnley will still have the services of Charlie Austin available to them, after a proposed move to Hull City fell through following a medical. Still a quartet of ex-Cherries at Turf Moor in the form of Marvin Bartley, Brian Stock, Sam Vokes and Danny Ings.

Charlton Athletic (H: 03/08 A: 25/01)

  HOME AWAY
PL  W  D  L   F   A  W  D  L   F   A
28  7  3  4  24  18  4  5  5  18  27

AFC Bournemouth open the season against Charlton Athletic for the third time in the last three seasons, this time at Dean Court as opposed to The Valley where opening day defeats were the outcome. The last time the two met saw the Addicks claim promotion to the Championship. Last time round the side from SE London finished a mere 3-points shy of the play-off places, so will no doubt be aiming higher for a chance to play in the Premiership once again. Could a mid table finish for the Addicks given key departures, most notably Bradley Wright-Phillips, who has opted for a move to the States.

Derby County (H: 23/11 A: 22/02)

  HOME AWAY
PL  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A
4  1  1  -  2  1  1  -  1  3  5

Hardly a great deal of history between these two given that they've only met in the 84/85 and 85/86 seasons. Both have spent the rest of the time before, and after, at opposite ends of the footballing spectrum. Definitely a new ground for the Cherries next February.

Not too much movement in the transfer market for the Rams. If anything more have left rather than moving to Pride Park for the new season – a sign of the Financial Fair Play rules kicking in?

Doncaster Rovers (H: 01/03 A: 31/08)

  HOME AWAY
PL   W  D  L   F   A  W  D  L  F   A
37  10  3  6  38  22  3  8  7  18  26

Donny Rovers need little introduction as they pipped AFC Bournemouth to the League One title on the final day of last season in bizarre circumstances at Griffin Park. Both sides won on each others patches last season. Donny are certainly determined to remain in the Championship, despite being second favourites for a quick return, having signed ex Real Madrid defender Marc De Val Fernandez over the Summer. This correspondent doesn't expect Donny to be heading back down come May.