Premier League | Gameweek 20

Jan 4, 2025 at 3pm UK

Vitality Stadium

Bournemouth vs Everton

Match preview

Bournemouth have been on an amazing run recently, going seven games unbeaten in the Premier League – their longest ever run – and it's even led to manager Andoni Iraola being nominated for Manager of the Month.

They extended their unbeaten streak in dramatic circumstances once again last week, when Dango Ouattara's delicate chip saw them equalise at Fulham to salvage a 2-2 draw in the 89th minute at Craven Cottage.

It was their 10th goal after the 85th minute this season, three more than any other side has managed.

That's another point on the board for them, taking them to 30 and seventh in the Premier League table to finish 2024. They're just one place and one point behind champions Manchester City, and five points off the top four.

Iraola has been getting a lot of praise for his team's high-pressing and intense performances, and their attacking output is proof of that. Only two other teams took more shots in the Premier League than their 601 across 2024.

Their performance at Old Trafford a couple of weeks ago was definitely the most notable of the season so far. They were the second team ever to win there by a three-goal margin in two seasons running, and the first to do so in 63 years.

A close second would be their win in the reverse fixture at the end of August, when Bournemouth set the record for the latest a team has ever trailed 2-0 and still won a Premier League match, capitalising on Everton's capitulation to win 3-2 at Goodison Park despite being two goals down on 87 minutes.

That puts them in a good position for this match as well, because they've won four home games in a row against Everton and have never lost to the Toffees in the Premier League at the Vitality.

Everton have never played an opponent more often in the Premier League without beating them away, and recent form doesn't suggest they'll do it again.

2024 is probably not going to be a fond memory for any Everton fan, especially if they get relegated before the move to their new stadium.

They only got eight wins all year, which ranked them 91st in the whole EFL. Only Burton Albion got fewer wins. It was Everton's lowest total since 1997, and half of those wins came in a good spell in April.

Their poor attacking numbers explain why, as no team in the 92 was anywhere near Everton at the bottom of the scoring charts - they only scored 31 goals all year.

After three solid performances to earn draws against Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City, Everton were once again clueless when it was their turn to make something happen in the final third against Nottingham Forest last weekend.

They conceded two easy goals and it took them over 80 minutes to get the opposition's goalkeeper, Matz Sels, into a save. This means they've now gone 38% of the games under Sean Dyche without scoring.

Just one win in 10 games has seen the gap close below them again, with Ipswich Town's surprise win over Chelsea leaving them within touching distance of the Toffees, two points back.

The visitors don't tend to get off to a strong start in a new year either, having lost six of their last seven opening games of the year. Bournemouth are in the same boat, though, having only won one in 12 such matches.

Recent Performance

Bournemouth Premier League form:WWDWDD

Everton Premier League form:LWDDDL

Team News

Bournemouth will have Justin Kluivert back after he missed the trip to Fulham with suspension, but Luis Sinisterra and Marcus Tavernier are probably going to be out again.

Iraola's squad was stretched last time out, with two goalkeepers and four players under 20 on the bench, so he'll be hoping Tyler Adams and Alex Scott can recover as soon as possible from their recent setbacks.

Marcos Senesi and Julian Araujo are still some way away from a return, while fellow defender Adam Smith is also set for a few more weeks on the sidelines.

Everton will still be without Dwight McNeil due to a knee injury, and captain Seamus Coleman is also on the treatment table with the minor calf problem he sustained late on against Man City.

James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are the only other absentees, but Dyche has confirmed they are making good progress and should return this month.

Armando Broja made his first start against Forest, but Dyche is likely to go back to using Dominic Calvert-Lewin, even though he hasn't scored in 14 games.

Possible starting lineup

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:

Kepa; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson

Everton possible starting lineup:

Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Lindstrom, Gueye, Mangala, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Calvert-Lewin