Bournermouth Vs Everton

Bournemouth's top scorer, Justin Kluivert, is set to return to action after serving a suspension that kept him out of the recent draw against Fulham. The Dutch forward’s return will boost the Cherries’ attack, providing manager Andoni Iraola with a much-needed weapon as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League fixture. Despite Kluivert's availability, the team will still be without several key players due to injury. Tyler Adams, having recovered from an injury, is now available to feature, but Bournemouth will continue to miss the services of Marcos Senesi, Julian Araujo, Adam Smith, Marcus Tavernier, Luis Sinisterra, and Alex Scott, who remain sidelined with various injuries. The team’s injury woes persist, but the return of Adams and Kluivert offers some positive news for the squad.

On the other side, Everton’s injury problems are equally concerning. Midfielder Dwight McNeil will miss his fifth consecutive match due to an ongoing knee issue. Everton’s manager, Sean Dyche, has stated that McNeil is close to returning, but for now, his absence will be felt in the Toffees’ midfield. Furthermore, Seamus Coleman continues to recover from a minor calf injury and is not yet available for selection. While the Irish defender remains sidelined, there is some hope for the squad with the return to training of Tim Iroegbunam and James Garner. However, neither player will be available for the upcoming match, leaving Dyche with limited options as he works to turn Everton’s fortunes around.

Looking at the head-to-head statistics between Bournemouth and Everton, the Cherries have a notable advantage in recent meetings. Bournemouth have won five of their last seven Premier League encounters against Everton, including a remarkable 3-2 comeback victory at Goodison Park earlier in the season. This victory, which saw Bournemouth recover from a 2-0 deficit, showcased their resilience and ability to perform in high-pressure situations. In contrast, Everton have struggled at the Vitality Stadium, with the Toffees failing to win any of their seven Premier League visits to Bournemouth. They have managed just two draws and suffered five defeats at this venue, making it their longest winless streak at any Premier League ground.

For Bournemouth, the current campaign has been a season of achievement and progress. The club is on the brink of setting a new Premier League record with an unbeaten run of eight matches, a feat that would further establish their credentials as a competitive force in the league. Their current points tally of 29 is the highest they have ever accumulated after 19 games in a Premier League season, further illustrating the club’s growth under the guidance of manager Iraola. In terms of defensive solidity, Bournemouth have conceded just 23 goals this season, marking their lowest number at this stage of any top-flight campaign. Meanwhile, their attacking prowess has been evident, with the Cherries netting 29 goals—another club record after 19 matches.

Bournemouth's early-season form has been particularly impressive, as they have defied expectations to maintain a strong position in the league. Historically, they have struggled in the opening match of each calendar year, but this time around, they have managed to avoid defeat in the first game of the year. This improvement in their start to the new year could be a sign of greater consistency and maturity in the squad. Another remarkable statistic is Bournemouth’s ability to score goals late in matches, with the team having netted a league-high 10 goals in the final five minutes of games this season. This late surge in scoring has proven to be a valuable weapon for the Cherries, and it has contributed to an eight-point advantage over other teams due to their goals scored in this time frame. This ability to finish strong has made them a dangerous side to face, as their opponents must remain vigilant until the final whistle.

Dango Ouattara, who has been one of Bournemouth's standout players this season, has contributed significantly to their attacking efforts. The winger has netted three goals and provided three assists, marking his best-ever return in a Premier League campaign. Impressively, four of his six goal contributions have come as a substitute, highlighting his impact when introduced into matches. Ouattara’s performances have been a key factor in Bournemouth’s offensive success this season, and he will be a player to watch in the upcoming matches.

For Everton, the season has been a challenging one, as they have struggled to find consistency in their performances. The Toffees have won just one of their last 10 Premier League matches, although they have managed to avoid excessive defeat, with only three losses in their last 14 games. This mixed form has left the team languishing in mid-table, unable to break into the upper echelons of the Premier League. One of the main reasons for their struggles has been a lack of attacking potency. Everton have registered only 132 shots on target in 2024, the fewest of any club that has remained in the Premier League throughout the calendar year. Their total of 31 goals scored is also among the lowest in the division, and the Toffees have consistently failed to create enough chances to pose a serious threat to opposition defenses.

In fact, Everton have failed to score in a league-high 10 different Premier League matches this season, which has placed significant pressure on their defense to keep clean sheets. The lack of goals has been compounded by a poor conversion rate, with their shot conversion rate of just 7.3% representing their lowest in Premier League history since Opta began tracking such data in 1997-98. This inability to turn chances into goals has been a major stumbling block for Dyche’s side, and they will need to improve in this area if they are to climb up the table in the second half of the season.

Moreover, Everton’s attack has been characterized by a lack of creativity, with the club creating just 27 big chances in the league this season—the fewest of any team in the Premier League. This statistic further highlights the Toffees' struggles in generating clear-cut opportunities, and it will be a point of concern for Dyche as he looks to find a solution to the team’s offensive woes. On a more positive note, Everton have excelled in set-piece situations, scoring an unrivalled six goals from free-kicks this season. In fact, set-pieces have been a key source of goals for the Toffees, with 53% of their total goals coming from dead-ball situations—again, the highest proportion in the league.

Despite their challenges, Everton have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. Their 0-0 draw against Aston Villa in 2024 marked the end of a six-match losing streak in their first league match of the calendar year, with their last victory in such a fixture coming back in 2017 against Southampton. This result could provide a platform for the team to build upon as they look to push for better results in the remainder of the season.

Looking ahead to their upcoming match against Bournemouth, Everton will need to address several key issues if they are to finally secure a win at the Vitality Stadium. The Toffees will be hoping for a return to fitness for key players such as McNeil and Coleman, while they will also be looking to improve their offensive output and create more chances in front of goal. With both teams experiencing injury problems and inconsistent form, the upcoming encounter promises to be an intriguing and closely contested fixture, with both sides desperate for a positive result to build momentum for the rest of the season.