Going Under The Radar: The Club 'Tipped For Europe' Who Are Now Struggling To Win A Game

Which Pre-Season European Contenders Are Struggling for Form?

Every year people love to pick a team as the team that will be a 'dark horse' and will achieve the unexpected. This year has been no different, with AFC Bournemouth the club that seemed to be the underlying team that would achieve a European qualification spot. Despite losing many key players in the summer transfer window, many tipped Iraola's men as the team to watch out for, but this couldn't be further from the truth.

The club currently find themselves in 14th position, with only 19 points after 14 games! No one predicted the club to have this weak of a start - the Cherries are without a win in their last five games. Things don't get any easier for Andoni Iraola's men either, with the fixtures not coming any easier in the following weeks. Chelsea and Manchester United are the next two fixtures, which could quite easily be another two losses, which, depending on the teams around them, could put them on the cusp of the relegation zone. They need to start winning games, and fast!

Top of the table after 8 games.
14th in the table after 14 game.

Bournemouth, how❓️😭 pic.twitter.com/NCRe0AJxuz

— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) December 2, 2025

The Cherries had a magnificent start to the season, at one point even finding themselves at the very top of the table after playing a game more than Arsenal. It really looked like the team had got stronger despite the loss of many key players; however, they have done a total 180 and getting Europe seems less and less likely by the week.

Since this moment at the top of the table, they have only secured an extra two points in their last six games, which has now got them a massive 13 places lower. The most recent result more than proved that this isn't just a rough patch and Bournemouth are really struggling - they lost 1-0 vs Everton at home due to a Jack Grealish winner. This result has leapfrogged Everton above them and into 9th. Bournemouth really needed a win in front of the home crowd and they barely put up a fight.

Semenyo was firing in goals every week, the defence was solid, things really seemed like it was going to be a glorious season for the Cherries. European football seemed like a very achievable goal. But this shows just how quickly things can change in football; one moment you are top of the league and the next you are looking at a relegation fight!

🚨🔻 Bournemouth are winless in their last 5 matches...

❌ 3-1 loss vs Manchester City
❌ 4-0 loss vs Aston Villa
⚖️ 2-2 draw vs West Ham
❌ 3-2 loss vs Sunderland
❌ 1-0 loss vs Everton

Next 2 marxhes for Iraola's side: Chelsea (H) and Manchester United (A). pic.twitter.com/R1AgEvlPqn

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 2, 2025

The Premier League is one of, if not the most, competitive leagues in the world, where every result counts. It isn't unheard of for a manager to be the most in-form in the league and be sacked just a few months later. Just look at Liverpool and Arne Slot.

They are the current Premier League Champions yet after a very poor start to the season, many are calling for Slot to be replaced. If Iraola doesn't start picking up results soon, then he could be the next name that the world is calling to be sacked. I believe that they have two very tough fixtures in a row which they are unlikely to pick up 3 points from; however, if they don't convincingly beat Burnley on December 20th, then Iraola will be under some great pressure.

There is lots of talk of a January transfer for their star player Antoine Semenyo, with both Liverpool and Manchester City very interested in the winger. If he is to leave, which seems more and more likely with every passing week after it has been revealed that a release clause of £65 million is available in January. If Bournemouth are to lose their star man, then it could be a scary second half of the season for the Cherries if Bournemouth don't replace him, but they will also need to spend the large sum on key areas across the pitch.

Things are looking very shaky for AFC Bournemouth, with their form far from ideal. If they don't pick it up in this congested December period, then there may be a relegation fight on the cards for the predicted European challengers!