After an encouraging start to the Premier League campaign, Marco Silva takes his troops to Dean Court — a stadium where Everton have failed to collect three points during the Cherries’ three-season stint in the top flight.
November 2015 saw that 3-3 draw, September 2016 was a 1-0 triumph for the home side and most recently Bournemouth took all the points in a 2-1 win in December 2017.
In the 15/16 season, the Toffees won 2-0 away from home in an FA Cup tie but before that, you’d have to go back to September 1985 for another Everton victory in the south coast club’s backyard, also 2-0, this time in the League Cup.
The Blues struggled on the road last term, with Ronald Koeman, David Unsworth and Sam Allardyce collecting a measly three league victories away from Goodison, all coming from the latter. This is an excellent opportunity for Silva to make his mark early.
But Bournemouth will be no pushovers. Eddie Howe’s outfit are one of six sides to boast two wins from two games. A comfortable 2-0 success over Cardiff on the opening day was followed by a 2-1 triumph at West Ham.
The Toffees are a place behind the hosts, with mass change in standings expected during these early weeks.
One to watch
Callum Wilson will prove Bournemouth’s biggest threat on Saturday afternoon. The striker has two goals in his two games this season. Everton have shipped three goals so far and defensive frailties were evidenced when Danny Ings was left free to tap home from close range for Southampton last weekend.
Team news
Kurt Zouma and Lucas Digne are fit and could be involved in some capacity, Morgan Schneiderlin hasn’t recovered from the injury that prematurely ended his afternoon against the Saints. Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes won’t be involved.
A decision is yet to be made over the fitness of Bernard, so it is unclear whether the Brazilian will be in with a chance of making his Everton bow.
Phil Jagielka will serve the second of his three-game suspension.
Man in the middle
Lee Probert will take the whistle for the clash. In the 29 fixtures he refereed last season he dished out 57 yellow and five red cards.
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