Bournemouth play host to Boreham Wood in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday afternoon having made an array of signings on deadline day.
At a time when the Cherries are challenging for a return to the Premier League, Boreham Wood are bidding for the National League title having already reached this stage of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.
Match preview
Bournemouth have been somewhat of a mixed bag in the Championship of late, winning three and losing two of their most recent five fixtures.
Nevertheless, still sitting in third position, there is every expectation that the Cherries will eventually regain a spot in the automatic promotion places given the level of their additions on deadline day.
As many as five players arrived at the Vitality Stadium, the standout being Liverpool defender Nathaniel Phillips, and manager Scott Parker will be delighted to have strengthened his squad with players regarded as Premier League quality.
However, while this is the ideal game to bed in some of the fresh faces, Parker will want to see a desire to compete for places as they bid to remain in close proximity to Championship leaders Fulham.
A much-changed team posted a 3-1 victory at Yeovil Town in the third round, Emiliano Marcondes netting all three goals to earn Bournemouth a spot at this stage for the third year in a row.
While the South-coast outfit have only played one game to reach the last 32, Boreham Wood have come through four ties without conceding a goal.
Barnet, Eastleigh, St Albans City and AFC Wimbledon have all been defeated along the way, and Luke Garrard will be quietly optimistic when it comes to his team making an impression at the weekend.
Although the difference in levels should not be ignored, Boreham Wood have gone 16 matches without defeat, their only setback in 22 fixtures coming by a 2-1 scoreline at promotion rivals Chesterfield.
The Hertfordshire outfit still find themselves down in fifth position in the National League, but they will overtake leaders Stockport County if they win one of their two games in hand.
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Team News
Parker will almost certainly make widespread changes for his contest with Phillips, providing that he has fully recovered from a fractured cheekbone, in line for a debut ahead of the suspended Gary Cahill.
Freddie Woodman, Todd Cantwell and Kieffer Moore are also eligible to make their debuts, but Siriki Dembele is cup-tied after representing Peterborough United in the third round.
Chris Mepham and Lewis Cook may return in defence and midfield respectively if they have recovered from injury.
Josh Rees remains an injury doubt for Boreham Wood with the midfielder having picked up a knock against King's Lynn Town last weekend.
Should the midfielder be able to shake off that issue, Garrard could opt to name the same starting lineup.
Rees, Scott Boden and Adrian Clifton have all scored two goals apiece during Boreham Wood's FA Cup run.
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Moriah-Welsh, Phillips, Mepham, Davis; Kilkenny, Cook, Marcondes; Cantwell, Moore, Lowe
Boreham Wood possible starting lineup:
Ashby-Hammond; Reckord, Evans, Stephens; Smith, Comley, Rees, Raymond, Mendy; Marsh, Orsi
We say: Bournemouth 3-0 Boreham Wood
With Parker expected to make changes, it may take Bournemouth time to find their stride. Nevertheless, despite the best efforts of the visitors, we feel that the Championship side should run out convincing victors.
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