Everton is set to host Bournemouth at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday evening in an exciting Premier League encounter. The Toffees head into this match on the back of a 2-1 victory against Fulham at Craven Cottage, extending their unbeaten streak to five matches. They currently occupy the eighth position in the league table with 37 points, just two points shy of Brentford, who are holding the provisional spot for the UEFA Conference League qualification.
Although Everton has struggled with goal-scoring, their defense has been commendable, with only three teams conceding fewer than their 28 goals this season. To maintain their upward momentum in the table, Everton will need to enhance their home form, having won just four league matches and accumulated 16 points at home this season. Upcoming matches against top-tier teams provide a critical chance for the Toffees to improve their performance on Merseyside and secure another win against Bournemouth, a team they previously defeated 1-0 in December.
Bournemouth, in contrast, enters the match as one of the league’s in-form teams. Despite losing their key player, Antoine Semenyo, to Manchester City during the winter transfer window, they have managed an impressive run, remaining unbeaten in their last five matches. With their current position in the table at 11th, they can advance past Everton if they achieve a substantial win on Tuesday.
However, Bournemouth’s away record raises some concerns, as they have only won two matches on the road this season, surpassing only Wolverhampton Wanderers in this regard. Their defensive weaknesses have been highlighted with the highest number of goals conceded on the road, totaling 30. Nonetheless, Bournemouth possesses confidence going into this match, having won their last three visits to Everton, scoring eight goals and allowing only two.
In terms of team news, Everton struggles with the absence of Jack Grealish, who is expected to undergo ankle surgery and will miss the remainder of the season. Additionally, it remains to be seen whether Jarrad Branthwaite will reclaim his starting position after recovering from a significant hamstring injury. On Bournemouth’s side, they will miss several players, including midfielders Justin Kluivert and Tyler Adams, both sidelined with knee injuries.
As both teams prepare for this crucial fixture, it sets the stage for what promises to be an intense match, with Everton aiming to leverage their solid defense while Bournemouth seeks to continue their upward trajectory in the league.
Predictions lean towards a tight contest, with many favoring Everton to secure a narrow 1-0 victory, drawing from their stronger defensive capabilities this season.