Everton will be desperate to get off the mark in the 2024/25 Premier League season when they host Bournemouth at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The dreaded international break is nearly upon us, with the 2024/25 season taking a fortnight-long break for the first time in a few days. But we have a busy weekend before that, with Everton and Bournemouth eager to enter the hiatus on a high when they lock horns with each other at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Everton would have hoped for some stability in the 2024/25 season instead of featuring in another relegation dogfight. However, the early signs are anything but positive after the Merseyside outfit suffered two heavy defeats to drop to the bottom of the Premier League table. However, the Toffees have bounced back with a convincing victory over Doncaster Rovers in the EFL Cup second round.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth began the 2024/25 Premier League season with successive 1-1 draws to climb to 14th in the standings. However, unlike Everton, the Cherries have bowed out of the EFL Cup in the second round after suffering a 1-0 defeat to West Ham United earlier this week.
The corresponding fixture last season saw Everton cruise to a 3-0 win over Bournemouth, with James Garner, Jack Harrison, and Abdoulaye Doucoure finding the back of the net. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Everton
Sean Dyche does not have any new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Bournemouth on Saturday, the Everton manager will be bereft of the services of four first-team players.
Jarrad Branthwaite is the most notable absentee, with the in-demand centre-back recovering from a groin injury. The Englishman accompanies Nathan Patterson (hamstring), Dele Alli (groin), and Youssef Chermiti (ankle) on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Dyche was sweating over the fitness of James Tarkowski this week.
However, the experienced centre-back is fit and available. In addition, Ashley Young will return after serving a suspension. The veteran duo will join Michael Keane and Vitaliy Mykolenko in the backline, with the quartet protecting Jordan Pickford, who will be eager to step up after his recent dreadful error.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Idrissa Gueye, Abdoulaye, and Tim Iroegbunam in the middle of the park. Finally, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will spearhead the Everton attack against Bournemouth, with Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil being the two wide attackers for the home side.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Iroegbunam, Gueye, Doucoure; Harrison, Calvert-Lewin, McNeil
Bournemouth
Like his counterpart in the Everton dugout, Andoni Iraola does not have many issues to deal with ahead of the trip to Goodison Park. The Bournemouth manager will be without three players on Saturday.
Tyler Adams, David Brooks, and Enes Unal remain on the sidelines. Iraola has been sweating over the fitness and future of Philip Billing. While the Spanish tactician hopes that Billing remains with the club beyond the summer transfer window, he is fit and available for the weekend.
Meanwhile, Kepa Arrizabalaga has arrived from Chelsea in a season-long loan deal and should take his spot between the sticks. Bournemouth will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of Kepa, with the backline featuring Julian Araujo, Illia Zabarnyi, Marcos Senesi, and Milos Kerkez.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Lewis Cook and Alex Scott in the double pivot. Justin Kluivert will reprise the no. 10 role and look to pull the strings in the advanced areas. Finally, Evanilson should lead the line for the away side, with Antoine Semenyo and Marcus Tavernier being the two wide attackers.
Probale Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Araujo, Senesi, Zabarnyi, Kerkez; Cook, Scott; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson
Key Stats
- Everton have won six of their seven Premier League home games against Bournemouth apart from a 3-1 defeat on the final day of the 2019/20 campaign. The Cherries have won four of their last six Premier League games against Everton (L2), twice the amount they had in their first eight against the Toffees (W2 D2 L4).
- Bournemouth are the only team to draw both Premier League matches this season, the games ending 1-1 against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. Wolverhampton Wanderers were the last team to draw the opening three fixtures in 2019/20, while West Bromwich Albion in 2004/05 were the last to draw the first three 1-1.
- Everton have lost all five Premier League games in August under Sean Dyche without scoring a single goal. Dyche has a win ratio of just 12.5% in August, the worst percentage of any manager to manage more than ten games in August.
- Since the start of last season, Bournemouth have conceded more fouls in the Premier League than any other side (535), with defender Marcos Senesi the most booked player in that time (14). The Cherries committed 20 fouls against Newcastle United in Gameweek 2, only making more in one Premier League game (23 vs Newcastle United in February this year).
- Antoine Semenyo has been involved in more shots following a ball carry than any other player thus far in the Premier League this season (8 – 5 shots, 3 chances created).
Player to Watch
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Very few would have expected Kepa Arrizabalaga to go from Real Madrid and the Santiago Bernabeu to the Vitality Stadium. However, the Spaniard must make the most of his situation and make his mark after joining Bournemouth in a season-long loan deal.
The Spanish goalkeeper’s fortunes might improve all of a sudden next week, with Real Madrid reportedly considering a 2025 move for him. However, before Kepa can secure a return to Real Madrid, he must stamp his authority at AFC Bournemouth, starting with his debut against Everton on Saturday.
Prediction
Everton 1-2 Bournemouth
It has been one step forward, one step back for Everton under Sean Dyche. While the experienced manager has tried his best to find some stability for the Merseyside club under his tutelage, it has evaded him thus far. So, after hoping for a memorable 2024/25 season, they might be in for another campaign with a relegation dogfight.
In addition, the Toffees have a horrendous record in August under Dyche, failing to score once thus far. While that drought might end, the winless streak will continue, with the Bournemouth new boy Evanilson making his mark and condemning the Merseyside outfit to another frustrating evening. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Andoni Iraola and his charges.