Bournemouth and Everton face off in a key clash in this Premier League midweek action, with both teams in desperate need of a win.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola will feel hard done by the result at the weekend, knowing very well the challenges at the Stadium of Light. After a flying start there, the Cherries found themselves two goals up in under 15 minutes, which made them favourites to beat this Sunderland side for the first time in their home ground.

However, Regis Le Bris had other plans, as Sunderland came back into the game through a first-half penalty from Enzo Le Fee and then immediately in the second half through Bertrand Traore. Brian Brobbey then came up with a winner in the 69th minute to set up a thrilling end to the game, as Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook was sent off for a violent elbow late in the game.

Overall, the Cherries endured a fourth straight game without a win in the Premier League, which contrasts with their form at the start of the campaign. Hence, Iraola will be desperate to win in midweek as they take on Everton at the Vitality Stadium; otherwise, they could struggle to fulfil their ambitions of finishing in a European spot.

Meanwhile, Everton endured a difficult time at the Hill-Dickinson Stadium as Newcastle United came visiting. The Magpies harried and pressed the Toffees into conceding three goals in the first half alone. Magpies defender Malick Thiaw completed his brace around the hour mark to truly put the game beyond David Moyes’ men, as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored a consolation in the 70th minute.

The defeat ended Everton’s three-game unbeaten run, with the latest of that being the stellar and cagey victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United last Monday. On the standings, Everton are only six points off fourth-placed Aston Villa and four behind Sunderland, who are probably occupying the final European spot at the moment.

Hence, there’s a lot to play for Everton in the season, with Moyes eager to bring European football back to the club. However, they now travel to the south coast to take on Bournemouth, in what could be a must-win game in the context of where the Toffees want to finish at the end of the season.

Team News & Tactics

Bournemouth

Iraola faces concerns with suspensions for this clash against Everton, as Bournemouth are missing three of their key stars for this fixture. Cook’s straight red card bans him for three upcoming domestic games, while Marcos Senesi and David Brooks picked up their fifth yellow cards, as they must serve a mandatory one-game ban.

The Cherries boss must trust teenage defender Veljko Milosavljevic in the heart of his backline alongside Bafode Diakite. Adam Smith and Adrien Truffert are the preferred options in the full-back roles, while Tyler Adams and Alex Scott are set to manage the midfield setup.

Justin Kluivert might be drafted into the starting lineup in place of Brooks, with Antoine Semenyo and Amine Adli are set to feature on the wings, as Iraola might continue with Junior Kroupi in the No.9 role with Evanilson as an option off the bench.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Petrovic; Jimenez, Diakite, Milosavljevic, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Kluivert, Adli; Kroupi

Everton

Moyes is not faced with too many absentees, especially not anyone new, following the defeat to Newcastle United. Idrissa Gueye is out of contention owing to the red card against Manchester United for the now infamous incident with teammate Michael Keane.

He will serve the second of his three-game ban, while Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson, Merlin Rohl and key defender Jarrad Branthwaite are the other ones missing from action at the moment. Moyes is not expected to make wholesale changes despite the manner of the performance against the Magpies, as there could be one or potentially two alterations for the visit to Bournemouth.

Tim Iroebungam had a horrendous first half against the Magpies and was withdrawn at half-time, so that might indicate that Moyes might bring in Carlos Alcaraz from the start and play him alongside James Garner in the midfield setup.

With the same back four as the last game, the only other potential change might be possible in the No.9 role, as Moyes might think about using Beto for Thierno Barry. There’s still a chance the summer signing starts this one, as the other members of the attacking setup are set to keep their spots.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Pickford; O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Garner, Alcaraz; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry

Key Stats

• Bournemouth have won nine of their last 11 matches against Everton in all competitions. Everton have lost their last four games against Bournemouth.
• Everton have lost on their last five visits to the Vitality Stadium.
• Bournemouth are winless in their last four Premier League games.
• Bournemouth have kept a clean sheet in their last three matches against Everton in all competitions.
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in seven of Bournemouth’s last eight games in the Premier League.

Player to Watch

Antoine Semenyo

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The Ghanaian winger is the subject of transfer speculation ahead of the January window, having been one of the in-form stars in the league so far this season. However, his performances have dried up of late, as he has gone without a goal or assists in his last five appearances, as incidentally, Bournemouth have failed to win four of those five games.

In fact, Semenyo went only two games in the previous seven before the dry run without a goal or assists, as Bournemouth failed to win one of those two clashes. His importance for Iraola’s side remains underestimated, and the Spanish manager will want his main attacker in his best form and firing on all cylinders against Everton.

Prediction

Bournemouth 2-1 Everton

This upcoming fixture is a bit trickier than some might anticipate, as Everton have every chance to cause an upset, given what they did in their most recent away game. However, the idea of bouncing back from a heavy defeat at the weekend and facing a Bournemouth side away from home, in desperate need of a win themselves, may prove challenging for Moyes’ side.

Bournemouth are without a few key players for this clash, and yet, they could have a big chance to collect the three points in this one. Iraola could unleash some of his key attackers, as stars like Semenyo, Kroup and even Kluivert could prove crucial in breaking this Everton defence down, as the Cherries are expected to win by a narrow margin.