Venue: Vitality Stadium
Date: 24/10/2016
Kick-off: 15:00 (BST)
Everton prepare to square off against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday and victory from the encounter could see the Toffees move into the top of the Premier League table.
The Ronald Koeman revolution continued with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough in the Premier League last week but as a first blip to the Dutchman’s time at Goodison Park so far, the Toffees suffered a disappointing exit from the EFL Cup at the hands of Norwich City in midweek.
The defeat would most certainly not have pleased Koeman and he will now surely be demanding his side to bounce back when they square off against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium this weekend.
Everton Team News
Romelu Lukaku is a major injury concern ahead of the clash due to a toe injury but there is a possibility that the Belgian international will be fit just in time to feature on the day.
At the back, there should not be too many changes with the likes of Maarten Stekelenburg, Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Ashley Williams and Seamus Coleman taking their places in the starting lineup.
The same can be said about the central midfield as well with the duo of Idrissa Gueye and Gareth Barry retaining their places while the attacking positions should be filled by the dangerous trio of Kevin Mirallas, Ross Barkley and Yannick Bolasie.
Lukaku will start in attack on the event that he is fit but it will be interesting to see who gets the start if indeed the 23-year-old misses out.
Probable Lineups
Bournemouth (Probable XI): Boruc; Daniels, Cook, Francis, Smith; Stanislas, Arter, Surman, King, Wiilshere; Wilson
Everton (Probable XI): Stekelenburg; Baines, Williams, Jagielka, Coleman; Barry, Gueye; Mirallas, Barkley, Bolasie; Lukaku
Last Meeting
30/04/2016 Everton 2 – 1 AFC Bournemouth
20/02/2016 AFC Bournemouth 0 – 2 Everton
28/11/2015 AFC Bournemouth 3 – 3 Everton
Prediction
Everton boast a very good record against Bournemouth but it has to be said that the clash on Saturday will be anything but easy for the Toffees.
Bournemouth are a very strong team at home and while Everton should be able to claim all three points from the encounter, it will be anything but straightforward.
Bournemouth 1-2 Everton
