
Christie urges Bournemouth to continue upward trajectory
Ryan Christie has encouraged Bournemouth to continue their upward trajectory, stating that they "don't really have a roof right now."
Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last six league games (W4 D2), while no side has won more Premier League games in 2026 so far than the Cherries (four).
Their impressive form has seen them rise up to ninth in the league table, leaving them five points off the European places with 12 games to go.
Andoni Iraola's side face West Ham at the weekend, and Christie reflected on his Bournemouth career ahead of their trip to the London Stadium.
"I feel a bit more calm and relaxed in the league and, as a team, we feel like we belong with how well we’ve done over the past couple of seasons," said the Scotland international.
"It’s nice to look back on games and realise how far we’ve come in such a short space of time.
"If we can keep pushing the club on the trajectory it’s on, we don’t really have a roof right now, which is a pretty cool feeling."
Six unbeaten in the @premierleague pic.twitter.com/OiNverPxhV
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) February 13, 2026
West Ham, meanwhile, have lost just once in their last five league games (W3 D1) as they look to escape the relegation zone.
They conceded a late equaliser to Manchester United last time out in the Premier League, but followed that up with a win over Burton Albion in the FA Cup.
January signing Adama Traore is confident the Hammers can continue their strong form, while insisting his own performances will also improve.
"We have a very good team, and there are very good people both inside and outside of the pitch," said Adama.
"I’m really happy to be here, to be back with the manager, and also to work with great individuals. We’re working hard, and I hope we’re able to keep showing this connection on the pitch.
"The fans here are amazing too, and the way they sing is so passionate. I said when I signed about how I used to follow the fans when I was younger, and the way they are resonates with me, because I’m passionate also.
"For me, I’m trying to achieve the team’s objectives, and I’m really pleased to have been out there from the start. It’s good for my form and fitness, I’m feeling better with every game, and I just want to keep pushing forwards."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
West Ham – Crysencio Summerville
Summerville has scored six goals in his last seven appearances in all competitions, as many as he had in his previous 56 games with the Hammers and Leeds United.
Despite all his goals coming since the turn of the year, only Jarrod Bowen (eight) has scored more goals for West Ham this season.
Bournemouth – Rayan
Nineteen-year-old Rayan has either scored (two) or assisted (one) a goal in all three of his Premier League games for Bournemouth so far.
No teenager has ever registered a goal involvement in each of their first four appearances in the competition.
MATCH PREDICTION – BOURNEMOUTH WIN
Bournemouth’s first-ever Premier League win came away at West Ham in August 2015, but since then, they have won just one of their last seven visits to the Hammers (D3 L3).
And West Ham have enjoyed their recent meetings with the Cherries. They are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League meetings with Bournemouth (W3 D6) since a 2-0 away loss in January 2019.
Each of the last five Premier League meetings between Bournemouth and West Ham have been drawn.
Only three fixtures have finished level six or more times in a row in the competition, with the Hammers involved in two: Birmingham versus Liverpool (seven between 2005-2010), Aston Villa versus West Ham (seven, 1998-2001) and Brighton versus West Ham (six, 2019-2021).
West Ham have dropped more points from winning positions than any other side in the Premier League this season (20), while Bournemouth rank third in this regard (18).
Only in 2019-20 (26), 2010-11 (22), 2016-17 (22) and 2023-24 (21) have the Hammers dropped more in a single campaign.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
West Ham – 31.1%
Draw – 25.2%
Bournemouth – 43.7%











