Bournemouthvs.Rayo Vallecano

The Cherries are closing in on their Premier League opener, and Rayo will be their penultimate pre-season opponents.

Match preview

After being held to a 1-1 draw by League One new boys Wrexham in Santa Barbara, Bournemouth concluded their recent trip to the United States with another friendly fixture against top-flight rivals Arsenal.

Trailing by one goal heading into the final 20 minutes, the Cherries struck back through Antoine Semenyo, but they went on to lose 5-4 in a penalty shootout.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola led his side to a 12th-placed finish last season, posting the club's highest points total in any Premier League season despite starting slowly and finishing with three straight defeats.

Subsequently rewarded with a new two-year contract, Iraola now seeks to improve on last term's achievements, and his team's next pre-season test will see him reunited with some familiar faces.

Former club Rayo Vallecano - where Iraola really made his name - will arrive in Dorset this weekend, before Bournemouth wrap up their summer schedule with a final friendly against Girona; then, an opening-day Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest awaits.

Rayo, meanwhile, are preparing for a tough first-day trip to San Sebastian, as they look ahead to the new La Liga season.

Before playing Real Sociedad at Anoeta, the Madrid club must finish off their series of friendlies with a brief stay in England, first travelling to the south coast before meeting Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

Head coach Inigo Perez was set to join Iraola in Bournemouth last summer, but due to work permit issues he returned to Campo de Futbol de Vallecas; then, in February, he stepped up to the top job after Francisco's mid-season sacking.

Though his first match produced an impressive home draw with mighty Real Madrid, Rayo managed only three wins from 14 games under his management, and more will be expected as the club celebrates its 100th birthday this year.

Los Franjirrojos finished just one place above the relegation zone last term, and after failing to win any pre-season friendlies - against Braga, Vitoria SC, Heerenveen or Cordoba - their prospects look bleak for the campaign ahead.

Bournemouth friendly form:

D

Rayo Vallecano friendly form:

D

L

L

D

Team News

Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams is sidelined by a back injury that will see him miss the start of the new season, while Enes Unal - who recently converted his loan deal into a permanent contract - is ruled out by a foot problem.

Colombian winger Luis Sinisterra has yet to feature following his involvement at the Copa America, and New Zealand's Alex Paulsen has been competing at the Olympic Games.

The hosts are set to name last term's 19-goal top scorer Dominic Solanke up front, while new recruits Daniel Jebbison and Dean Huijsen - the latter of whom spent the first half of this year on loan at Roma and now replaces Newcastle United-bound Lloyd Kelly - are also in contention to start.

Meanwhile, Rayo's main summer signing has been experienced winger Adri Embarba, who returns to Vallecas after spending time on the books of Espanyol and Almeria.

However, in addition to Radamel Falcao's departure, first-choice goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski has left for La Liga rivals Valencia, so Dani Cardenas is set to start between the posts on Sunday.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:

Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Tavernier, Billing, Ouattara; Solanke

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

Cardenas; Ratiu, Mumin, Lejeune, Espino; Embarba, Palazon, Valentin, Ciss, Garcia; Camello

We say: Bournemouth 2-0 Rayo Vallecano

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