Everton v Bournemouth, The Everton Forum Preview
Everton return to Goodison Park on Saturday to face AFC Bournemouth in a 3pm kick off.
The match will be the first for the blues back at L4 since the impressive 4-0 demolition of Manchester City a couple of weeks back and sees the lads return in a nice trot of form having hauled in 10 points from the 12 so far available in 2017.
The game comes swiftly after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Stoke and with that in mind, it’ll be interesting to see what sort of a team Ronald Koeman selects here (more on that soon).
The Visitors
14th placed Bournemouth come to Goodison Park in a poor run of form that’s seen them win 1 Premier League match in their last 7. They lost their last match on Tuesday at home to a struggling Crystal Palace team and currently sit 16th in the away table, having picked up 8 points in their 11 Premier League away games so far this season.
To add to Bournemouth woes, talented striker Callum Wilson picked up a severe knee injury in training this week and is now ruled out for the rest of season (Away from the preview a second, he did the same to his other knee last season. It’s really bad luck for him and I wish him well for his recovery).
Yet despite the negatives, Bournemouth come to Everton and heaven knows, if any side can give another team a pick me up when they need it, it’s us!
Looking at the way the cherries play, there’s a lot to be admired.
Bournemouth work hard, they play as a team using a pleasing style of passing football and fancy themselves to give anybody a game. It’s admirable and it can come off, as we’ve already seen this season so it’ll be important we don’t let them settle into their game on Saturday.
The midfield battle will be key in this match. Going back to our disappointing 1-0 defeat on the south coast, one of the things that hurt most was that they just wanted it more on the day. Harry Arter and Jack Wilshere dominated the centre of the pitch and ultimately we couldn’t live with the intensity they put in. In this game i’d expect those two to continue, supplemented by either Andy Surman or former blue, Dan Gosling.
Bournemouth’s attacking players aren’t household names by any stretch but the likes of Stanislas, Fraser, King and Ibe are usually lively and can cause problems as we’ve seen before (Stanislas, every time).
At the back is where I think Bournemouth have 1 or 2 issues.
The cherries have an honest defensive unit, but without being disrespectful to them, a couple of them could be improved upon. Eddie Howe evidently looked at replacing his goalkeeper in January and also appeared keen to bring in another centre half after Nathan Ake was recalled from loan by Chelsea. On top of this, one of Bournemouth’s best outlets, the full back Charlie Daniels is likely to be unavailable for this fixture.
Ultimately, regardless of the team he selects and the form they’re in, Bournemouth boss (and childhood Evertonian) Eddie Howe gives his team all the confidence in the world and they just have a go. They’re great to watch and are dangerous opponents.
The Toffees
Everton come into this match having only had 2 rest days after one of the traditionally tough away days. With this in mind, i’d be quite surprised if we didn’t see 2 or 3 changes to the starting line up.
Firstly the system Koeman selects will be interesting. The back 3 had served us very well until the other day at Stoke, however I think Bournemouth’s strength is in midfield so another combative midfield man with a back 4 might be best for this fixture.
Personel-wise, the obvious change, especially against a tenacious Bournemouth central midfield, will be to introduce the returned Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Everton’s player of the season to date (or that’s how I voted in that thread) hasn’t been missed as much as we might’ve thought before he went but for a game like this, with tired legs in the squad, is very much a welcome inclusion.
Ideally i’d like to see the midfield dream team of Schneiderlin and Gana but given the frenchman’s lack of overall game time this season, I wouldn’t be surprised if he dropped to the bench for this one.
Another who I feel might miss out on a start is Tom Davies. The shaggy-haired maestro has been a revelation since he got his chance (and I hope he starts) but for some reason it always seems to be the youngsters who (allegedly) need the rest first in football. I can see James McCarthy starting in Tom’s place here, especially if Koeman is worried about Bournemouth legs in the middle of the park.
One further change could be Ademola Lookman getting a first Goodison Park start. The nippy youngster has looked good in spells since he arrived and although he can drift out of games, does possess that little something to get you off your feet.
Personally I hope there isn’t too many drastic changes, we’re in a good spell of form and those who’ve put us in that spell deserve a chance to keep it up in my opinion.
Overall, this is a match Everton should win. Looking at the two groups of players, Everton being at home (where we’ve only lost once in the league all season), the two runs of form – it smells like a home banker and Everton have to do the business.
The problem is, this is Everton…
Anyway, COYB!
Finally the referee on Saturday is Mike Jones. He’s refereed Everton twice this season; Burnley away and Sunderland away.