Bournemouth head into Saturday's match with Sheffield Wednesday knowing that they are just three wins away from their first appearance in the Premier League.

The Owls make the long trip to the South Coast with little to play for, but they showed against Brentford in midweek that they have no intention of lying down to the league's best teams.

Bournemouth

© Getty Images

Despite featuring high up in the Championship table for the majority of the season, Bournemouth's rise to prominence probably still seems a dream to their supporters, but after a 10-game unbeaten run, their dream could turn to reality in two weeks' time.

Their advantage over the chasing pack may be slender, but Bournemouth are three victories away from promotion to the promised land, something that was once considered unrealistic to anyone not involved with the Cherries.

However, the belief generated from an untouchable team spirit at the Goldsands Stadium has been infectious and it's going to take a major upset from either Wednesday, Bolton Wanderers or Charlton Athletic to deny the current leaders.

A few eyebrows were raised when Callum Wilson opted for Bournemouth rather than one of the more established teams in the division, but so far, his decision has been justified and it's his contribution that has played the biggest part to the team's success.

The 22-year-old has scored 19 times in 42 league games, and while he has been given a helping hand by the likes of Yann Kermorgant and Brett Pitman, the club have relied on his pace, strength and finishing for much of the season.

The defence has also weighed in by conceding just six goals since February 28, and if Eddie Howe's men can strike the right balance for a 25th time this weekend, they will be just 180 minutes away from a quite incredible achievement.

Recent form: DWDWWW

Sheffield Wednesday

© Getty Images

By their usual standards, this season has been a quiet one for Sheffield Wednesday, and although they once had faint hopes of challenging for a playoff spot, you won't find too many complaints at Hillsborough.

The Owls are currently on course for their best league finish since they earned 12th spot in 2009. They are still some way short of where they want to be, but under Stuart Gray, they have achieved stability and a platform to move forward next year.

Their recent form hasn't been anything to shout about, but they've only suffered defeat against teams above them in the standings, while they recorded a surprise 1-0 win over Brentford on Tuesday night.

With Leeds United and Watford to follow, the Yorkshire club have a tricky end to the season but their performance and clean sheet against the Bees will boost morale ahead of what is ultimately a testing trip to the form team in the division.

Wednesday's away record of 32 points from 21 games will be of encouragement to Gray, but the former Southampton chief will know that he needs more goals out of his team with Atdhe Nuhiu the only player to get into double figures.

However, his return of three in 17 games has seen him relegated to the bench, and January signing Sergiu Bus could be given responsibility to try to add to his current tally of one goal in seven matches.

Recent form: LWDLDW

Team News

© Getty Images

Bournemouth trio Dan Gosling, Eunan O'Kane, and Tokelo Rantie all featured for the club's development squad on Thursday, but none are expected to break into the starting lineup for Saturday's game.

Howe could name an unchanged XI, with on-loan striker Kenwyne Jones having to remain patient for his chance from the start.

Owls boss Gray has doubts over both Sam Hutchinson and Lewis McGugan, with both players being given time to prove their fitness after suffering with a virus.

Chris Maguire and Sergio Bus both made appearances off the bench in midweek and could be involved.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Arter, Surman, Pugh, Kermorgant, Wilson

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Westwood, Buxton, Lees, Zayatte, Helan, Lee, Melo Silva, McGugan, Maguire, Lavery, Bus

Head To Head

The history between Bournemouth and Sheffield Wednesday only began in 2003, but since their first meeting, it's Bournemouth who hold the upper hand.

Bournemouth have won in six of the 11 meetings between the two teams, with Wednesday prevailing just twice, and it was the Cherries who emerged victorious at Hillsborough earlier in the campaign.

Second-half goals from Andrew Surman and Ryan Fraser did the damage as Bournemouth recorded their sixth success in a row.

We say: Bournemouth 3-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday will believe that they can travel to Bournemouth and cause a major dent in their promotion chase, but the home side are a collective unit and it will take a big effort from the Owls just to record a point at the Goldsands Stadium.

Previews by email