Bournemouth return to the Vitality Stadium needing to clear their heads after a painful late collapse on the road, while Everton arrive still stinging from a heavy home defeat that has sharpened scrutiny on David Moyes and his squad. With both teams coming off bruising results, this meeting has the feel of a quietly crucial afternoon.
Bournemouth’s last outing was a chaotic 3–2 defeat away at Sunderland. Two early goals had them firmly in control, only for the hosts to mount a comeback, level the game and then snatch a winner after the Cherries were reduced to ten men late on. That result extended a winless run in the league, despite the fact that Andoni Iraola’s side have generally played with purpose and aggression. Encouragingly for them, their home form has been far stronger: Bournemouth remain unbeaten at the Vitality in the league this season.
Everton, by contrast, saw a promising spell of form ripped apart by Newcastle’s visit. A 4–1 defeat at home laid bare defensive frailties and midfield issues, with the visitors racing into an early lead and never really being threatened. That result was particularly jarring because it followed an excellent run that included a composed 2–0 home win over Fulham and a remarkable 1–0 victory with ten men away at Manchester United. The contrast between that resilience and the Newcastle loss has raised serious questions about consistency.
Iraola’s options are affected by suspension rather than injury this time. Lewis Cook’s red card at Sunderland rules him out, removing a key figure from Bournemouth’s midfield balance. Otherwise, the core of the side that has underpinned their strong home record remains available.
Everton’s problems are more layered. Moyes heads south with a stretched midfield: Idrissa Gueye remains unavailable after suspension, while Merlin Röhl is sidelined, and defensive options are further thinned by injuries to Jarrad Branthwaite and Nathan Patterson. The cumulative effect has been a lack of depth and cohesion, particularly visible in that defeat to Newcastle.
Bournemouth under Iraola are at their best when the game is played at pace. High pressing, quick combinations and direct running from wide areas are central to their identity. At home, they are likely to push the tempo early, trying to pin Everton back and test a back line that looked fragile only days ago. The question is whether they can marry that intensity with defensive control, something that deserted them in the second half at Sunderland.
Moyes is likely to lean on structure and experience. Everton will want to tighten up after conceding four, so a compact shape, clear distances between the lines and protection in front of the centre-backs will be prioritised. With midfield resources stretched, they may look to be pragmatic: win first and second balls, keep things simple in possession and use set pieces and quick forward passes as their main route to goal.
The midfield area — even with absentees — will go a long way to deciding this one. Bournemouth will try to impose tempo, moving the ball quickly and asking questions of an Everton unit still adjusting to absences. The visitors, in turn, must find a way to slow the game down, disrupt Bournemouth’s rhythm and avoid being dragged into a chaotic end-to-end contest that would favour the hosts.
Set pieces and game management look crucial. Everton’s aerial presence could be one of their main weapons if they earn territory, while Bournemouth’s speed and fluid movement around the box can punish any loose defending or poor second-ball work.
For Bournemouth, this match is about turning decent underlying performances into something more tangible. Protecting their unbeaten home league record and reacting positively to the Sunderland collapse would restore belief and keep them comfortably in mid-table.
For Everton, the stakes are arguably higher. The 4–1 home defeat to Newcastle has increased pressure on Moyes and his players; another poor result would deepen doubts about their direction. A strong display — even a gritty away win or hard-earned draw — could help to draw a line under that “horror show” and remind supporters of the resilience they recently showed against Fulham and Manchester United.
With both sides carrying scars from their last games and needing a response, the Vitality Stadium is set for a tense, edgy and potentially pivotal afternoon.
