Everton vs Bournemouth Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 English Premier League
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
This is a fascinating clash at Goodison Park as Andoni Iraola’s unbeaten but winless AFC Bournemouth travel to Merseyside to face an Everton side that are already in a crisis after losing both of their games so far in the Premier League and conceding seven goals in those games.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 31st August, 2024 - UK – 3:00pm / US ET – 10:00am / US PT – 7:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – USA Network
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Universo, Fubo, Sling Blue or DirecTV Stream
EVERTON PREVIEW: FINDING A RELEASE
Sean Dyche is already under pressure in Liverpool and videos circulating online of Everton supporters hurling abuse at players as they boarded the train from London Euston back north last week will not have eased that after they were demolished by four goals to nil at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend.
They did pick up a 3-0 victory in the second round of the EFL Cup in midweek over League Two Doncaster Rovers with first Everton goals for Tim Iroegbunam and Iliman Ndiaye as well as one for Beto but even as they hammered fourth-tier opposition, it still took until the second-half to break the deadlock.
BOURNEMOUTH PREVIEW: CHERRY PICKING
Andoni Iraola had a difficult start to life in England at the beginning of last season before going on to be nominated for the Manager of the Season award in the Premier League but things have been better this year, albeit frustrating, for the Cherries after back-to-back draws before being knocked out of the cup by West Ham United in midweek.
Bournemouth began the campaign by travelling north to the City Ground and they shared a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest thanks to a late equaliser from Antoine Semenyo before then being pegged back to the same scoreline in controversial circumstances last weekend against Newcastle United with Dango Ouattara seemingly wrongly having a goal disallowed.
EVERTON TEAM NEWS: KEY RETURNEES
After suffering from a few injuries at the start of this season, Sean Dyche was able to welcome back experienced duo Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young as well as James Garner in midweek.
However, the Toffees remain without a few key men with defender Jarrad Branthwaite sidelined alongside Scotland international Nathan Patterson and young striker Youssef Chermiti.
PREDICTED XI (4-5-1): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; McNeil, Iroegbunam, Gueye, Doucoure, Harrison; Calvert-Lewin
UNAVAILABLE: Branthwaite (Injured), Patterson (Injured), Chermiti (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BOURNEMOUTH TEAM NEWS: BROOKS IS BACK
In his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip north, Andoni Iraola has confirmed that David Brooks has returned to first-team training and will be available for selection this week.
The Cherries could hand a debut to new signing Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has joined on loan from Chelsea, but they will remain without Tyler Adams and Enes Unal for this one.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Julian Araujo, Zabarnyi, Marcos Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson
UNAVAILABLE: Adams (Injured), Unal (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
EVERTON VS BOURNEMOUTH PREDICTION
One of Everton’s best performances last season came when the Toffees hammered Bournemouth at Goodison Park. Sean Dyche will be hoping to be able to find some of that spirit this weekend and he was praised for his response to criticism last weekend and new signings, the departure of Neal Maupay as well as that cup win has shifted the mood a little. Bournemouth have played well without winning so far but Everton have started badly in the recent past before finding a way through the season and this would be a good kick starter after playing two very strong sides.
EVERTON VS BOURNEMOUTH TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – EVERTON TO WIN OR DRAW
