Everton vs Bournemouth

The race for European football takes center stage at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this Tuesday, February 10, 2026, as David Moyes’ Everton welcomes Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:30 GMT.

With both teams separated by just three points in the top half of the table, this Matchday 26 clash is more than just a mid-table battle; it’s a high-stakes audition for a spot in next season's continental competitions.

Match Information

Everton: The Moyes Momentum

The Toffees are currently riding their best wave of the season. Following a gritty 2–1 comeback win against Fulham last Saturday, Everton has stretched their unbeaten Premier League run to five matches. Under David Moyes, the club has transformed into a defensive unit that is notoriously "hard to beat," conceding only 28 goals so far—the fourth-best record in the division.

Team News and Selection:

• The Grealish Void: The major cloud over Goodison is the loss of Jack Grealish. The Manchester City loanee is set for ankle surgery and will likely miss the remainder of the season.

• Midfield General: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is the man in form, having provided the match-winning spark against Fulham.

• Suspension Scares: Everton will have to navigate this fixture without Carlos Alcaraz and Iliman Ndiaye, both of whom are serving bans.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Mykolenko, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Patterson; Garner, Gueye; McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Armstrong; Barry.

Bournemouth: Life After Semenyo

Despite the heartbreak of losing star forward Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City in the January window, Bournemouth remains one of the most dangerous sides in 2026. The Cherries are unbeaten in their last six matches, a run that includes a stunning 3–2 victory over Liverpool and a recent 1–1 draw with high-flying Aston Villa.

Team News and Selection:

• Midfield Crisis: Andoni Iraola’s tactical flexibility is being tested to the limit. Midfield mainstays Tyler Adams and Justin Kluivert remain sidelined with knee injuries, while Marcus Tavernier is out with a thigh problem.

• The New Focal Point: With Semenyo gone, the burden falls on Evanilson, who has already netted eight times this season and remains a constant threat in transition.

• Defensive Boost: Marcos Senesi returns to lead the backline, providing the physical presence needed to counter Everton’s set-piece threat.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Smith, Senesi, Hill, Truffert; Cook, Scott; Sinisterra, Christie, Ouattara; Evanilson.

? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats

• The Reverse Fixture: Everton secured a narrow 1–0 win at the Vitality Stadium back in December, breaking a streak of Bournemouth dominance.

• New Home Factor: Since moving to their new stadium at the docks, Everton has struggled for consistency, winning only four of their 12 home league games

• Goals Galore: Bournemouth matches are the most entertaining in the league, averaging 3.4 goals per game, while Everton matches average just 2.24.

• Unbeaten Runs: Both teams enter this fixture having not lost a league game in over a month.

Tactical Analysis and Prediction

This match pits Everton’s "Stoke-on-Trent" style resilience against Iraola’s fluid, high-pressing system. Moyes will likely look to exploit Bournemouth’s defensive lapses—the Cherries have conceded 44 goals this season—through the aerial prowess of Thierno Barry and the delivery of Dwight McNeil.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, will look to dominate the ball and use Alex Scott’s vision to slice through an Everton midfield missing its usual creative spark in Grealish. While the Cherries are the form team, Everton’s newfound defensive solidity under Moyes often makes them a "brick wall" under the lights.

Final Score Prediction: Everton 1–1 Bournemouth