Everton vs Bournemouth match preview: Bournemouth hope for final-day drama

Bournemouth must win to be in with a chance of survival. Both Aston Villa and Watford sit three points above the relegation-threatened visitors, and, should they both lose by more than one goal to West Ham United and Arsenal respectively, a 0-1 victory would be enough for Eddie Howe’s side.

They come into the tie having lost six of their eight matches since Project Restart began and with two losses from their last two. Bournemouth have the second-worst record on the road this term with only three wins, one draw and 14 losses.

Everton’s fate is mostly sealed, save for Southampton who could knock the Toffees back into 12^th. With Arsenal four points ahead, a top-half finish is off the cards for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

The Toffees have had a mixed bag of results recently, with four wins, four draws and four losses in their last 12 fixtures.

Team news

Moise Kean is in doubt following his absence from Everton’s bout with Sheffield United last week. The Italian has been dangerous off the bench but has only netted once in royal blue. Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina are both ruled out through injury, so Jarrad Branthwaite is expected to start.

Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake and Adam Smith could miss out. Dutchman Ake picked up an injury early in the 4-1 win against Leicester City and has not appeared since.

Predicted line-ups

Everton: Pickford; Digne, Branthwaite, Keane, Sidibe; Gomes; Sigurdsson, Davies, Walcott; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin. (4-1-3-2)

AFC Bournemouth: Ramsdale; Rico, Kelly, Cook, Stacey; Stanislas, Billing, Lerma, Brooks; Wilson, King. (4-4-2)

Players to watch

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Despite failing to score since March, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been threatening since the restart. Having started every league match since November, the youngster has grown into a mainstay in Ancelotti’s selection.

The threat comes from the air, usually in close-quarters to the goal. His awesome height proves to be a challenge for defenders each week, and Everton’s wingers play to this strength and have come agonisingly close to converting several times recently.

Joshua King

It has been a rocky restart for Joshua King as he has battled injury. However, on the occasions he has been fit, the Norwegian has been an asset to Bournemouth’s strike force. Chalking up a solitary goal in the Cherries’ 5-2 loss to Manchester United, King has been tricky to deal with for the opposition.

Previous meetings

The reverse fixture took place in September. A brace from Callum Wilson and a Ryan Fraser strike chalked up a 3-1 win for Bournemouth. Calvert-Lewin scored Everton’s only goal that day but it was cancelled out by the Cherries’ counterattacking style.

Everton took a 2-0 win last time the two sides met at Goodison Park through second-half strikes from Kurt Zouma and Calvert-Lewin.