BOSS Eddie Howe knows Cherries are entering a “defining moment” in their season and believes their automatic promotion destiny could be decided in the next two games.

Cherries, who slipped to third following their midweek draw at Cardiff, tomorrow host second-placed Middlesbrough in an eagerly-awaited Sky Sports-televised clash (12.15pm).

And following the international break, Howe’s charges head to East Anglia where they will face fellow promotion hopefuls Ipswich on Good Friday.

Previewing the visit of Boro to Dean Court, Howe said: “I don’t think the result will decide anything but it will have a big bearing on the final standings.

“If it were to go with us then it would certainly help and, if it didn’t, nothing would be final but it would be a lot more difficult to potentially get one of the top-two places so we are aware of the importance of the next two games.

“We are in good form and I was really impressed with our performance against Cardiff. Despite the fact we didn’t win, I thought we were terrific so we go into the game in really good form and on the back of what has been a good run of games for us.”

Howe added: “There are so many twists and turns a season can take and you never quite know what you have in store as you embark on any campaign. At the start of this season, we were hopeful we could improve on what we did the previous season but there were no guarantees.

“We have already improved on last season’s points tally and, with a number of games to go, we feel very privileged to be where we are and want to make the most of the situation we are in.

“I see this as a really good game for both teams. Middlesbrough are coming here on the back of two really good wins (against Ipswich and Derby). They probably went into this run of games knowing it could be a defining period in their season and I think we probably view the next two the same way.

“Middlesbrough and Ipswich have had excellent seasons and have been our competitors near enough throughout. We are really looking forward to this one.”

Howe, who saw Cherries have the better of a 0-0 draw at the Riverside earlier this season, added: “When you look back at the game up there, it was a real tactical battle. It was a very tight game between two teams who probably cancelled out each other. It will be interesting to see how we fare against each other this time.

“They have had an excellent season and their manager has done a very good job. It doesn’t surprise me that they have been as competitive as they have. They have a good squad and have used the loan market very well so we are expecting a tough battle.”