ANDONI Iraola believes his Cherries side’s mentality will be key on the trip to Leicester as they aim to enter the international break with consecutive wins.

AFC Bournemouth head to the King Power Stadium on Saturday for a 3pm kick off in their final game before the two-week break, after comfortably beating Southampton at the Vitality Stadium on Monday night. 

They face a Foxes side that are yet to win in the Premier League this term and have picked up three points from three draws in six games so far.

Previewing the game, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “I think the mentality tomorrow will be key because we know we can feel it, for Leicester, it's after a very difficult game against Arsenal.

(Image: Richard Crease) “They are focusing on our game not to get their first win and it will be, not a final because it's very early to play finals, but an important game for them and for us, it has to be the same.

“Considering the schedule we have after, it's good to have points, because after [the break] we are playing the top teams and it's not that we are going to lose for sure, but it's good to have before you play them, the more points you have, better for you.”

Cherries have yet to keep a clean sheet so far this season, conceding nine goals across their six games.

Asked if this was something that Iraola was focused on ahead of the trip to the midlands, he said: “Not especially. I'm looking at, like all the teams, the numbers of goals we receive.

“If you tell me, you’ll receive one every game, I take it, because normally most of the teams will receive more.

“It's not like one clean sheet and the next one, you say four [goals conceded]. No, I want to reduce the number of goals overall.

“I think the other day we defended very well against Southampton.

(Image: Richard Crease) “Even the second half, when we didn't have a lot of the ball, we didn't really concede chances, and I hope we can continue defending well tomorrow.

“Like all the teams, they [Leicester] have very good threats and will be demanding. They will attack because they will want to win the game and I hope we can keep this defensive level.”

If Cherries win or draw, provided results elsewhere go their way, they could move into the top 10 in the league.

But Iraola said at this stage in the season league position is not important – it is vital his side continues to pick up points and the table will take care of itself.

(Image: Richard Crease) “Right now I don't care about the position, it's about points,” he said.

“This is about getting the points because at the end of the season, more or less, you know where you have to be. So, we continue in need of points, especially considering the games we have after.

“I think the same way it’s important for Leicester, tomorrow's game. For us it has to be very, very important.”