EPL: West Brom v Bournemouth preview

West Brom v Bournemouth preview

West Brom will be without experienced defender Gareth McAuley for their opening game of the Premier League season against Bournemouth.

The 37-year-old is struggling with a thigh problem and looks like he will be absent for most of August.

The Baggies finished 10th in the Premier League last season and, after signing a new deal until 2019, head coach Tony Pulis says staying in the top flight is crucial as the club transition to a new ownership.

"We can never underestimate just how important it is to keep our place in a league that is now the most famous and the most followed in the world," he said.

"Neither can we underestimate how difficult that is. You only have to look at the Championship in recent years to remind yourself how many clubs have fallen through the hoop and how many sets of supporters would love to be where we are now."

Bournemouth have been in the Premier League for the last two years and finished a place above West Brom last season.

They will be without Junior Stanislas for the trip to The Hawthorns due to a groin problem. Although manager Eddie Howe says he will be a "big miss", he added: "We've got a good squad this season and in my seat, you don't want to disappoint people.

"It does give you some confidence though that we have a number of good players and over the season, everyone will have to play their part."

ey and James Morrison will miss out for West Brom, with the latter hoping to be fit for the trip to Burnley on August 19.

Summer signings Jay Rodriguez, Zhang Yuning and Ahmed Hegazi are all in contention to make their West Brom Premier League debuts.

While Stanislas is out for the visitors, summer signing Jermain Defoe is expected to be available after joining on a free transfer from Sunderland.

Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and defender Nathan Ake are in contention following their respective moves from Chelsea, while forward Callum Wilson continues his long-term recovery from a serious knee injury.