Seventh-placed Bournemouth start the new Premier League year with a visit to Everton on Saturday afternoon.
The Cherries ended 2024 in impressive form, securing three wins and three draws in December. Two of those wins came against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United as Andoni Iraola’s fast-paced approach punished the struggling giants.
Bournemouth could climb as high as fifth if they get victory this weekend and other results are good, but Everton will prove a tough challenge. The Toffees secured impressive draws against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in December, results which helped them move two points clear of the relegation zone.
The second leg featured one of the most dramatic comebacks in Premier League history. Everton were ahead by two goals until the 87th minute at Goodison Park, but conceded three goals in the closing stages and suffered a heartbreaking defeat.
Here is 90 minutes Guide to Bournemouth vs Everton.
Bournemouth vs Everton H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
Bournemouth | Everton |
|---|---|
Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth – 12/29/24 | Everton 0-2 Nottingham Forest – 29/12/24 |
Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace – 26/12/24 | Man City 1-1 Everton – 12/26/24 |
Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth – 22/12/24 | Everton 0-0 Chelsea – 12/22/24 |
Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd – 12/16/24 | Arsenal 0-0 Everton – 12/14/24 |
Ipswich Town 1-2 Bournemouth – 12/08/24 | Everton 4-0 Wolves – 04/12/24 |
country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Radio updates and commentary on The Pitch Prospect, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Solent |
United States | fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, UNIVERSO NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, USA Network, UNIVERSO |
Canada | fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 3 Canada |
Bournemouth welcome Justin Kluivert back from suspension after missing the game against Fulham, and Iraola has confirmed that Tyler Adams is available after missing last weekend with a knock. However, the Spanish coach confirmed that no other absentee will make a comeback against Everton.
That means Adam Smith, Marcos Senesi and Julian Araujo are all missing in defense, while Marcus Tavernier, Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra are unavailable further up front.
Expected line-up of Bournemouth vs Everton (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Hill, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Christie; Ouatarra, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson.
Sean Dyche has revealed that Dwight McNeil will almost certainly miss the trip to Bournemouth as he has been sidelined since the start of December. Seamus Coleman is also out with a muscle injury, but according to his manager his problem is “not too serious”.
Long-term absentees Tim Iroegbunam and James Garner are both unavailable for selection. They are back on the pitch, but their comeback is still a long way away.
Predicted Everton line-up against Bournemouth (4-4-1-1): Pickford; Young, Tarkovsky, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Mangala, Gueye, Ndiaye; Doucour; Calvert Lewin.
Bournemouth have largely impressed on home soil this season, beating the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Spurs at the Vitality Stadium. However, their intense and overconfident approach could, ironically, prove less effective against Everton’s stubborn deep block.
The Toffees will be looking to frustrate their hosts and have done an excellent job of limiting their opponents in recent weeks. However, Kluivert’s return completes a threatening Cherries forward line that should have enough quality to bypass Dyche’s defensive unit.