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Everton face Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon in a big game at the bottom of the Premier League. After seven games, Bournemouth are still awaiting their first win of the season and pressure is beginning to mount on new manager, Andoni Iraola. Everton aren’t doing much better and have just one win to their name across their first seven games. This relegation six-pointer will take place at Goodison Park and kick off at 15:00 UK time.
Everton vs Bournemouth Premier League team news
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Both managers have injury problems coming into this one which isn’t ideal considering it is such an important game. Despite that, we could see a full debut for one player after they overcame a pre-season injury that has disrupted their start to the new campaign.
Everton
The big news out of the Everton camp this week is that Jack Harrison is ready to start his first game for the club since signing on loan from Leeds United in the summer. Harrison, who scored five goals and provided seven assists in the Premier League last season, could provide Sean Dyche with some much-needed impetus at the top end of the pitch.
While Harrison is back from injury, Dyche still has several players who will miss the match with Bournemouth. Dele Alli and Seamus Coleman are long-term absentees while Idrissa Gueye is also out after he was forced off in last weekend’s loss to Luton at Goodison Park.
The ever-changing state of the Everton squad could bring about an opportunity for Dyche to play his preferred 4-4-2 formation on Saturday. Beto and Calvert-Lewin are, in theory, great double act up front while Harrison and Danjuma on the wings could work in a four-man midfield.
Everton predicted lineup
Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Harrison, Onana, Doucoure, Danjuma, Beto, Calvert-Lewin
Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola is still trying his best to find a winning formula at Bournemouth and matters aren’t being helped by an ever-growing injury list. A lot of pressure is being put on Tyler Adams, the club’s big-money signing from Leeds United but there has been more bad news in regards to the American this week.
The 24-year-old midfielder has only managed a Carabao Cup appearance so far for Bournemouth due to injury problems and Iraola revealed this week that he has suffered a setback in his recovery. The thigh issue that has plagued his season thus far has flared up and Iraola has confirmed that Adams will now be out for a while.
While Adams’ job will be to protect the defence when he returns, there currently isn’t much to protect. Several first-team defenders, including Lloyd Kelly, Chris Mepham and Ryan Fredericks are all unavailable as things stand and none of them will be fit to return until the end of the month.
Bournemouth predicted lineup
Neto, Aarons, Senesi, Zabarnyi, Kerkez, Rothwell, Cook, Tavernier, Billing, Kluivert, Solanke
Everton vs Bournemouth predicted lineup – featured duel: Harrison vs Aarons
The return of Jack Harrison is undoubtedly a huge boost for Everton and Sean Dyche will be banking on the winger to get the better of Max Aarons down the Everton left-hand side. Aarons signed for Bournemouth this summer from Norwich and has struggled at times now he’s back in the Premier League.
He is susceptible to being drilled past quite easily (0.7 per game) which isn’t ideal for a full-back and Harrison will look to exploit that. This will certainly be an area of the pitch that Dyche will want to exploit, especially as Harrison’s delivery will be a dream for Calvert-Lewin in the penalty area.
Everton vs Bournemouth predicted lineup – The final word
Both Dyche and Iraola are in desperate need of three points here and a loss for either man could even result in their sacking with an international break looming.
A key factor in this game will be the Goodison Park crowd – if Everton can start quickly and score an early goal then you’d fancy them to win the match, however, the longer the game goes without an Everton goal, the more twitchy the Everton faithful will get.
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