Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Championship clash between leaders Bournemouth and sixth-placed Watford as both sides look to steal a march on their promotion rivals, all of whom are in action tomorrow. These two are the highest scoring sides in the division so we should be in for an entertaining encounter this evening. Let's start with a look at the teams...

BOURNEMOUTH STARTING XI: Boruc; Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels; Ritchie, Arter, Surman, Pugh; Kermorgant, Wilson

BOURNEMOUTH SUBS: Camp, Smith, Ward, O'Kane, Stanislas, Fraser, Pitman

WATFORD STARTING XI: Gomes; Cathcart, Angella, Hoban; Layun, Munari, Watson, Tozser, Anya; Deeney, Ighalo

WATFORD SUBS: Bond, Doyley, Savic, Pudil, Byers, Vydra, Mensah

Just the one change for Bournemouth from the side that lost to Leeds in heir last league game, although there are a new of faces returning to the side that missed the Cherries' FA Cup defeat at the hands of Aston Villa on Sunday. Yann Kermorgant continues up front from that match in the only change from Leeds, with Pitman the man to make way. From last weekend, meanwhile, the likes of Wilson, Surman and Ritchie all return.

As for Watford, they make two changes to the side that hammered Blackpool last time out, including a full debut for new signing Ben Watson. He came off the bench against the Tangerines but starts tonight for the first time since joining from Wigan Athletic. Munari is the other man to come into the starting XI, with Paredes and Vydra the players to make way despite the latter scoring against Blackpool. There is also expected to be a tactical switch, with Layun reverting to right wing-back.

This is a big match for both sides, but Bournemouth will be particularly keen to return to winning ways following a slight dip in form recently. The Cherries have lost three of their last four games in all competitions and two of their last three in the Championship having gone 14 league games unbeaten before that. They remain top of the table, but their lead is now based on goal difference alone and any slip-up tonight would give Derby County, amongst others, the chance to leapfrog them.

Aside from their own need to pick up points, this weekend's matches could prove pivotal in the playoff race with this being one of two meetings between members of the top six. Any side who gets a victory out of these two, Ipswich Town, Derby, Brentford and Middlesbrough will steal a march on a couple of their rivals at least and, with such a tight race hotting up - just two points separate the top five - that could be crucial.

Bournemouth will have to pick themselves up from defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup last Sunday having gone into the match as many people's favourites to progress despite the respective league standings. They had scored more goals in Birmingham this season than Villa ahead of the game, but ultimately fell to a 2-1 defeat, with Wilson's late goal nothing more than a consolation for the Championship outfit. The silver lining of that defeat, though, is that they can now focus their full attention on gaining promotion to the top flight.

Interestingly, Bournemouth have struggled more at home than they have on the road so far this season. They have amassed 24 points in front of their own fans compared to 27 away from home, so the fact that they are back at Dean Court may not give them the added confidence usually associated with a home match. They have only lost one of their last nine home league games, but that was their most recent one as Norwich City pulled off a 2-1 victory earlier this month.

Following defeats to Leeds and Aston Villa, Bournemouth are tonight looking to avoid three consecutive losses for the first time since February 2013, when they were still a League One side. They will be confident of having the goals required to return to winning ways, however, with their tally of 57 from 27 outings being the highest in the league.

It is Watford who have been the free-scoring side in recent weeks, however, firing in 12 in their last two games and winning both outings by five-goal margins. A 5-0 victory against Charlton was followed up by an emphatic win over Blackpool on Saturday, although it was very much a case of 'a game of two halves' for the Hornets. They found themselves trailing the league's bottom club at home 2-0 at half time, but ended up scoring seven without further reply in the space of 34 second-half minutes to take their tally up to 56 for the season, just one behind Bournemouth.

Those back-to-back victories have consolidated their position in the playoffs, where they now sit three points clear of seventh and four behind leaders Bournemouth. Their goal difference is vastly superior to those below them so they are safe from dropping out of the top six even with defeat this weekend, but victory would leave them in third place and just one point off the top - at least until the rest of the matches take place tomorrow.

Both of those recent big wins came at Vicarage Road, but Watford have also been decent on their travels in the past few weeks. They have won three of their last four league away games, although the one exception did come in their last one, when they fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Huddersfield. In all competitions they have suffered consecutive away defeats, although one of those did come against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup.

They boast a fine record against the Cherries over the years having not lost any of their last seven meetings, last being beaten by Bournemouth back in March 1997, when the two sides were in the old Division Two. Their unbeaten record away to Bournemouth stretches back even further, In fact, you have to go all the way back to 1977 for the last time the Cherries beat Watford in Bournemouth, winning 2-1 in a Division Four encounter.

PREDICTION: We're nearing kickoff at Dean Court, which means that it is time for a prediction! Bournemouth's stuttering recent form, coupled with Watford's magnificent last two displays, makes this a really tough one to call. However, the Cherries have been so impressive this season that I'm expecting them to win, with Watford prone to the odd lapse away from home. I'm going to go for a 3-2 victory for the home side.

My colleague Pascal Lemesre also predicted a home win, although he doesn't see as many goals in the game. Listen to what he had to say about this match in our video preview below:

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Watford get us underway as they look to climb up to third in the table with a victory over the league leaders.

Oh my word, what an explosive start to this match! Wilson picks the ball up and drives straight at the defence, knocking the ball past Angella before being brought down by the defender's sliding challenge. Cathcart was around and may have been able to give cover, but referee Lee Probert decides that he was the last man and shows a red card within the first minute! Incredible.

You could view that sending off from two standpoints, but you can certainly see why Probert saw it as a red card. Angella was also sent off in the corresponding fixture last season, although that was a case of mistaken identity in a match that he had earlier scored in.

Nervy moment from Gomes after the free kick had deflected off the wall and out for a corner. The keeper was caught in no-man's land, but got away with it as the man arriving at the back post could only nod over.

How can Watford respond, then? Jokanovic has not made any changes to make up for his departed defender, which is a brave decision away against the league leaders and division's top scorers. In Ighalo and Deeney, though, he has strikers who can still hurt Bournemouth.

Important interception from Gomes as he comes out of his goal to punch a dangerous Ritchie delivery clear. It isn't the best punch you will ever see, but it did the job.

SHOT! Good play from Deeney as he flicks the ball past a number of Bournemouth shirts to get himself running at the defence. He slips a pass out to Anya, but the winger tries to go for goal first time and his tame effort trickles harmlessly wide.

It has been a really good response from Watford here. Their game plan must have been severely altered from the very first minute following that red card, but they have continued to look quite positive when they have had the ball.

Half a chance for the hosts as Ritchie plays Francis in down the right, and the full-back hangs his cross into the middle. Kermorgant rises highest to meet it, but Layun does just about enough to put the striker off.

The visitors are going to need to be very patient tonight if they are to get anything out of the game. Bournemouth may have been expecting to enjoy the lion's share of possession anyway but, with a man advantage, they will dominate the ball for long periods here.

SHOT! Positive play from Ritchie, who has looked dangerous every time he has got the ball so far. This time he cuts inside and lines up a shot from 25 yards, but he slices the effort a long way off target in the end.

Almost a gift for Deeney as Surman plays a backward pass without looking, nearly putting the striker through on goal. However, Cook is alert and makes a crucial interception to knock the ball out for a throw.

Bournemouth have not looked entirely convincing at the back so far in this one. Deeney has had a couple of encouraging moments, while the distribution of Boruc in goal has been really poor. That red card has certainly not made this one a foregone conclusion.

The visitors are enjoying a good spell right now, keeping Bournemouth on the back foot and asking some questions of the home sides' defence in the final third. You wouldn't think that they have a numerical disadvantage at the moment.

Bournemouth win a couple of corners in quick succession, but neither of them come to anything. They tried something different with the second, playing it short, but Watford were alert to the danger and quickly cleared the danger.

Watford will be very happy with their performance under the circumstances, but Bournemouth will know that they can afford to bide their time and tire the visitors out. Playing with 10 men for pretty much the entire match is not easy, and the more Bournemouth keep the ball, the harder it will get for Watford.

OFF THE BAR! Bournemouth are inches away from breaking the deadlock here! Daniels cuts a ball into the middle and finds Kermorgant in the area. The striker takes a touch and spins to face goal before firing a volley off the crossbar when he probably should have scored. Big escape for Watford!

The pressure is beginning to build a little on the visitors' defence now. Bournemouth are carrying more of a threat in the final third and, with so many avenues to hurt defences, Watford can never be sure whether they will attack down the left, right or centre of the pitch.

YELLOW CARD! Brilliant from Deeney as he wins the ball off Daniels before racing down the right flank and being blocked off by Cook. The yellow is perhaps harsh, but Watford now have a free kick in a dangerous position.

CLOSE! Almost the opener for Watford! The free kick is met by Ighalo, but his header is blocked by a defender and the ball falls out to Watson. He manages to stumble past one tackle before poking a tame effort towards goal that trickles just past the post. I don't think Boruc would have got there either.

Deeney and Ighalo are doing a valiant job up front for Watford at the moment, keeping the ball well and always drawing a couple of defenders to them when they get the ball. Watford may not expect to keep a clean sheet now with their 10 men, but they certainly look capable of scoring at the other end too.

The ball goes into the Watford section and they refuse to give it back to Daniels for a while, throwing it about amongst themselves. However, Ighalo trots across and tells the fans to give the ball back, and sure enough they do.

First blood goes to Bournemouth as Kermorgant tucks the penalty away, keeping up Bournemouth's record of scoring first in every home league game this season. It was Cathcart who gave the spot kick away, tripping Wilson inside the box after Tozser had knocked the ball back towards his own goal without enough power on it. It was a clumsy challenge and the defender didn't have many complaints with the decision. Kermorgant stepped up and placed it down the middle, with Gomes diving to his left. It wasn't the best penalty, but luckily for Kermorgant Gomes moved.

A concern for Bournemouth here as Arter attacks the ball after it had popped up following a poor touch. He got there first but was caught in the head by a boot whilst doing so, so will require treatment. He should be fine to continue, though.

YELLOW CARD! Every borderline challenge is going to draw a reaction from the Watford players now, and that is the case here as Arter goes into a heavy challenge. He got a bit of the ball, but the referee still shows him a yellow card.

SHOT! Francis advances down the right flank and manages to squeeze a cross in to Wilson, who meets it at the front post. It is a difficult chance for the striker, but he cleverly tries to flick a header towards the far corner, only to see it drop a few yards wide.

SAVE! Some very dodgy goalkeeping from Gomes almost gifts Bournemouth a chance as he spills a cross into a dangerous area. However, his is thankful to see a yellow shirt there to shovel it behind for a corner, which Bournemouth play short. Arter picks up the ball and drives a low effort towards goal, but Gomes is down well to make a routine stop.

Bournemouth are starting to play some nice football in the final third here and they are very much in control of this game right now. Watford will be happy to get to half time now in order to regroup.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this eventful first half at Dean Court.

Ritchie picks the ball up on the right wing and sends another fine cross towards the back post. Two defenders are drawn to Kermorgant which leaves Pugh open at the back post, but he is caught by surprise a little and can't control the ball.

Well, what an eventful first half that was! Bournemouth go into the break in the lead, but that only tells half of the story after Watford were reduced to 10 men in the opening seconds of the game. It looks to be a long way back for the visitors but, with the likes of Deeney and Ighalo up front, they are certainly not out of this game at 1-0.

The most contentious moment of the half was the red card, which came within the first minute as Wilson was brought down by Angella having knocked the ball past the Watford defender. It was certainly a foul and a card, but the controversy lay in whether he was the last man. Cathcart was level when the challenge was made and perhaps may have been able to get across to cover, but you can also see why Lee Probert opted for a red card. Watford will feel aggrieved, though.

Bournemouth finally made their numerical advantage pay with 10 minutes left until half time when Yann Kermorgant tucked a penalty away. Cathcart gave the spot kick away with a clumsy challenge on Wilson inside the area. Tozser poked the ball into a dangerous area when trying to intercept a cross and Wilson got his body in front of Cathcart, who didn't have many complaints with the decision. Kermorgant stuck the spot kick down the middle to put his side on course for the win.

It could have been even better for the Cherries has Kermorgant put away an earlier chance, but his volley smashed against the crossbar. Daniels found the striker in the middle with a good cross, and Kermorgant had time and space to take a touch and swivel towards goal. However, he fired his effort against the woodwork when he would have expected to score.

Watford have had a couple of bright moments of their own since the red card, however, and they almost broke the deadlock shortly before the half-hour mark. Watson bundled past his man on the edge of the box following a corner before poking an effort towards the bottom corner, but it trickled just past the post with Boruc seemingly beaten.

The visitors' initial response to the red card was a good one, but Bournemouth began to take control of the game after their opening goal and played some good football in dangerous areas towards the end of that first half. Watford will have been happy to get into the break, but they must also strike a difficult balance now. A two-goal deficit may be too big an ask to recover from, so they could try to stay within one goal until the final 20 minutes or so.

WATFORD SUB: The visitors have made a change here as Daniel Pudil replaces Munari for the second half.

KICKOFF: Bournemouth get us back underway for this second 45 minutes, and the first thing to note is that the Watford change has seen Layun move back into midfield, where he played against Blackpool. Can the visitors salvage something from this game?

A flare-up as Kermorgant raises a boot and catches Ighalo very slightly, which draws an exaggerated reaction from the Watford man. That displeases a number of the Bournemouth players, and Ighalo is suddenly healed to fight his corner. It eventually all dies down without the need to show any cards, though.

Ritchie and Francis have linked up really well tonight, as they have done all season. The latter is given a lot to do by Ritchie's latest pass down the flank, but the full-back manages to keep it in and win a corner for his side.

CLOSE! Almost a second for Bournemouth as Pugh does well down the left, poking the ball back to a teammate on the edge of the box. Watford get a foot in but the ball falls to Ritchie, who fires a low first-time effort just wide from 20 yards.

SAVE! At the other end Tozser drives forward and moves within shooting range, but his effort is straight at Boruc, who makes a routine stop.

I mentioned earlier that Watford have to find a difficult balance in the second half, but the same is also true for Bournemouth. They could do with a second goal with Watford's attacking prowess but won't want to commit too many men forward at the risk of conceding an equaliser.

Well, that answers that one! Pugh turns his man on the left wing before putting a cross right into the danger area. Kermorgant gets a touch to help it on, and Ritchie is first to react at the back post, drilling a low effort past Gomes. Surely that is game over now.

CHANCE! If Watford are to get back into this one then they need to make the most of these openings! The ball is gifted to Ighalo, who advances to the edge of the area before sliding a pass to Deeney. However, the striker is forced to take a touch, which allows Cook the chance to get across and make a vital challenge.

More superb play from Pugh as he weaves in and out of a number of challengers before giving the ball out wide for Ritchie. This time the winger tries a cross and his low ball goes right across the six-yard box, but no-one is there to tuck it home.

Bournemouth look keen to add a third goal and really kill this game off once and for all here. They have not taken their foot off the pedal at all since doubling their advantage and I wouldn't bet against them extending their lead in the final half an hour or so.

SAVE! As soon as Ritchie gets the ball, Francis is on his bike to get up in support. That happens again here as Ritchie knocks it inside for the underlapping Francis, who draws a save from Gomes at the near post.

SAVE! Magnificent stop from Gomes to deny Bournemouth a third! Again Ritchie is involved as he stands a cross up into the middle for Kermorgant, who does everything right by nodding it downwards and back across goal. However, Gomes switches direction brilliantly and tips the header wide. Fine save from the Brazilian.

SHOT! Bright play from Wilson as he flicks the ball over Cathcart before holding the defender off and working a yard to shoot. He goes for power, however, and can't hit the target.

WATFORD SUB: The visitors make their second change of the evening as Matej Vydra replaces Ighalo, who has not been able to add to his six goals in his last two games tonight.

SAVE! Yet again Francis comes forward, picking up a pass from Wilson around 30 yards from goal. It all opens up for the full-back and his subsequent shot is low and hard, but Gomes holds on well to a difficult save.

CHANCE! A long ball over the top invites Wilson to run on to it down the right, and he shrugs off Hoban before cutting inside. He has players racing up in support and only needs to play the ball back to Pugh for a simple goal, but instead goes for a pass too close to the keeper, who makes a crucial interception.

A goal for Watford in the next couple of minutes would make for a very interesting finale here, but in truth it is hard to see Bournemouth letting this one slip. They have an element of control over proceedings and continue to threaten a third goal every time they come forward.

SAVE! Again Gomes is called into action as Arter flicks a lovely pass to Ritchie, who is in space on the right. His shot swerves in front of Gomes, but it is a fairly comfortable save for the keeper.

BOURNEMOUTH SUB: The hosts make a change as Kermorgant departs to be replaced by Eunan O'Kane for the final 13 minutes plus any stoppage time.

SHOT! Deeney hasn't had too many sights of goal tonight, so when the ball drops to him here he tries a snap shot. It is an ambitious effort from a good 30 yards, however, and sure enough he scuffs his effort harmlessly wide.

Ritchie has been a real livewire for the hosts tonight. Again he picks the ball up on the right before drilling a low cross into the box, but this time it is just behind his intended target and a decent attacking platform goes begging.

The hosts have controlled this game really well since taking a two-goal lead. They have dominated the ball and given Watford very little cause for optimism in the final third. It has been a professional job from Eddie Howe's side.

Perhaps the key moment of this match came after just 26 seconds, when Watford were reduced to 10 men after Angella had fouled Wilson. Here is a shot of the defender receiving his marching orders for the second consecutive time at Dean Court:

© Getty Images

Bournemouth are simply keeping the ball now, not letting Watford get hold of it and launch any sort of attack that could swing the momentum in their favour. They look like seeing this one out fairly comfortably.

YELLOW CARD! Elphick goes into the book for a poor challenge on Vydra, gifting Watford a free kick in a dangerous crossing position.

SAVE! Layun takes it and goes for a low delivery towards the near post, but it is easily cut out by the first man. Bournemouth break up the other end and, following some nice football, Pugh fires an effort towards the top corner that Gomes saves very well.

BOURNEMOUTH SUB: Ritchie has been brilliant tonight, but his game is over as Adam Smith replaces the winger for the closing stages of this match.

The fourth official indicates a minimum of three minutes added time at the end of this match.

Bournemouth win a free kick in a very good position, and Pudil is fortunate to get away without further punishment following a really poor tackle on O'Kane. He was late and caught the sub on his ankle, forcing it to bend horribly under the challenge. O'Kane is feeling the effects of that.

WATFORD SUB: A late change for Watford as Troy Deeney is replaced by Bernard Mensah for the dying seconds of this game.

BOURNEMOUTH SUB: The hosts also make a late change, but it is not O'Kane coming off. Instead, Wilson is withdrawn, with Brett Pitman coming on in his place.

Lee Probert blows time on this match and it is Bournemouth who move three points clear at the top of the Championship courtesy of a 2-0 victory over 10-man Watford. It was an eventful match, with Watford being reduced to 10 men after just 26 seconds, and the visitors could not recover from their numerical disadvantage against the league leaders. Bournemouth, meanwhile, take one small step closer to the Premier League with victory over a fellow promotion rival.

Angella was the man sent off inside the first minute after Lee Probert adjudged him to be the last man when fouling Wilson, and Bournemouth made their man advantage pay with 10 minutes left of the first half. Kermorgant, who had earlier hit the ball, stuck away a penalty after Cathcart had brought down Wilson inside the box. The second goal came shortly before the hour, with the brilliant Matt Ritchie fire home at the back post having been left unmarked.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for an eventful night of Championship action as Bournemouth ease past 10-man Watford to move three points clear at the top of the table. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction from both camps. There is also a full schedule of fixtures tomorrow, including a huge Premier League clash between Chelsea and Manchester City, so join us for that! From me, though, it is goodbye for now!