Shakespeare Anticipates Stern Cherries Test

- Leicester City need to be at their best at Bournemouth, says manager Craig Shakespeare
- The Cherries defeated City in their last league meeting on the south coast
- Shakespeare's men visit Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off)

Both sides have experienced a challenging run of fixtures during the opening weeks of the new Premier League season but the Cherries have an advantage over City in recent meetings.

Howe's men tasted success over the Foxes on the last encounter between both sides at Vitality Stadium - something Shakespeare is keen to alter this time around at the weekend.

"I think it is a big challenge," he told the national media at King Power Stadium on Thursday afternoon. "They had a good season and finished ninth last year, which proved their quality.

"Eddie has put a good squad together now and although they haven't had the best of starts I think both teams will go onto the game looking to get three points.

"It is seven games in so we know the importance of it. They are all important, but equally I put a lot of importance on the first game at Arsenal."

Like City, Bournemouth's strength lies in their togetherness and Shakespeare anticipates another fiercely competitive clash, despite their indifferent start to the campaign.

"I think it is their biggest strength," the Leicester boss continued. "Over the years they have been strong. They know their roles having come up through the league.

"They may have gone away from that at times but always gone back to it. I think you can see by what they are about as a club it has stood them in good stead."

On his own side's fortunes so far, Shakespeare admits their fixture list was challenging but remains disappointed not to have picked up more points against the top sides in the Premier League.

"It does [put the results in context] but we wanted more of a points return. We are aware of that," he added.

Gallery 28 Sep 2017

First Team Training: Bournemouth

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Photos

"We also knew at the beginning of the season when the fixtures came out that it was going to be hard that we were up against some of the top teams.

"We knew what to expect. You move on. Thankfully we are over that but that doesn't mean to say any of the games coming up will be any less challenging.

"We have to make sure the mindset is to win the games and keep up the performance levels."