Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 30/04/2016
Kick-off: 15:00 (BST)
Match
Would a semi-final victory last weekend made any difference to our fans current opinion of Roberto Martinez? I don’t think so. The club have stuck by him so far, so there is no chance of sacking him (if that is the plan) before the end of the season now.
I honestly thought (well I did a few weeks back) that he’d at least be there until next Christmas after being given one more chance to start a premier league season off well. Now, I’m not too sure. The fans pressure is mounting all the time and with no FA Cup Final to look forward to it could be curtains in three weeks time.
Goodison Park could be a deafening sound of boos come full-time if we do not win tomorrow. It’s now seven games since our last win in all competitions. Our form guide since that win reads: L, L, D, D, D, L, L – simply not good enough.
Bournemouth have been excellent so far after only being promoted last season, and are currently on 41 points. The same as ourselves, Watford and West Brom. That in itself is not a good achievement for us, yes we have reached two domestic semi-finals but with our attacking ability we should be a lot higher in my opinion.
Recently transferrumours.co.uk reported that yet another team had now joined the race to sign our young but outstanding striker Lukaku – that team being Juventus. If something doesn’t change dramatically and we continue losing and drawing games many more teams will come swooping for our players. We did very very well to hang onto them last season. Let’s hope they’re here next season.
Everton Team News
We are currently in a bad shape defensively for this game with Funes Mori still suspended, Coleman still injured and now Jagielka out too after he played at not 100% last weekend. Barry has picked up a knock as well so not having him in front of the back four is a huge loss. Osman may come in again to play along McCarthy and/or Besic.
35 year old Tony Hibbert
The backline is likely to be Joel Robles, Besic, Stones, Baines and then possibly 35 year old Tony Hibbert. I’d like to see young Galloway finally given another chance though, after standing in really well for Baines at the start of the season.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Robles; Besic, Hibbert, Stones, Baines; Cleverley, McCarthy, Osman, Barkley, Lennon; Lukaku
Bournemouth (Probable XI): Boruc; Daniels, Cook, Elphick, Francis; Pugh, Surman, Gosling, Ritchie;
Wilson, Afobe.
Last Meeting
20/02/2016 Bournemouth 0 – 2 Everton (FA Cup 5th Round)
28/11/2015 Bournemouth 3 – 3 Everton (Premier League)
Prediction
We haven’t lost to Bournemouth this season as yet and we’ve scored quite a few goals against them. Defensively though, we have been poor all season and are now weakened even more. Bournemouth are in a little slump themselves so confidence will be low for both teams. I can still see goals though.
Everton 2 – 2 Bouremouth
