CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe has predicted an “almighty scramble” for Premier League survival.

Howe’s team are currently five points ahead of the drop zone following a run of just three defeats in 13 games.

And with four of their next five league games against teams around them – starting with tomorrow's visit of Stoke City (3pm) – Howe knows 15th-placed Cherries are facing an important period of the season.

Howe said: “There are many twists and turns to come. It is very difficult to predict any result in this division and there are still teams above us which could get dragged into a position they don’t want to be in.

"It is going to be an almighty scramble towards the end of the season. We want to try to be consistent with our results, pick up as many points as we can and try to ease that pressure on us.

“The Stoke game is going to be a difficult one and these are really important times for us.

“I think everyone that does not have a certain number of points will feel they potentially could still get dragged into it so I am sure every manager is the same and will want to get the points as quickly as they can," added Howe, who played the last time Cherries met the Potters at Dean Court in 2002 with goals from Stephen Purches, Richard Hughes and Warren Feeney earning them a 3-1 win.