When West Ham United host AFC Bournemouth in their first Premier League match at the London Stadium, the Hammers will be thankful for not having the ghosts of last season’s encounter with the Cherries at the Boleyn Ground.
Almost a year ago exactly, Eddie Howe’s side took the three points in a 4-3 thriller, with Calum Wilson (£6.5m) bringing himself to the attention of Fantasy Premier League managers with a stunning Gameweek 3 hat-trick.
Wilson’s season was ended by a long-term knee injury a month later, but, now fully recovered, he will attempt to haunt the Hammers defence again.
After suffering an opening day defeat by Manchester United, AFC Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe could mix things up.
Max Gradel (£5.5m) will be pushing to be part of the attacking front three, with Josh King’s (£5.5m) starting role under threat. They could be facing Michail Antonio (£7.0m) as their full-back, tucking inside with James Collins (£4.5m) charged to pick up their runs.
Having witnessed Antonio concede a penalty and get withdrawn against Chelsea on Monday night, Howe will look to get some joy from the Hammers right.
But West Ham will go into this encounter far more concerned about the threat from Wilson.
While playing centrally, the striker could leave space for Gradel or King to cut inside, shifting to link with Jordan Ibe (£5.5m) on the right. That would likely task Winston Reid (£5.0m), as West Ham’s left-sided centre-back, with countering Wilson’s pace and power.
Reid was part of the West Ham defence in this fixture last season and was unable to prevent Wilson running riot.
Wilson's hat-trick not only announced AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League, but also revealed Wilson as a bargain budget option for FPL managers, only to be derailed by the injury that followed.
He is owned by just 2.9% of FPL managers, but a repeat performance against West Ham would raise Wilson’s profile ahead of an improving schedule of fixtures.
Wilson and the Cherries travel to Crystal Palace in Gameweek 3, with West Bromwich Albion, Everton and Hull City the next three opponents at Vitality Stadium.
Remember to update your Fantasy Premier League team ahead of the Gameweek 2 deadline at 7pm BST Friday 19 August
