Everton are currently on a stellar run of form in the Premier League, having won their last four top-flight games. In fact, only league leaders Manchester City have acquired more points than the Toffees this season.
This Saturday Ronald Koeman’s side head to the south coast to face Bournemouth, who have endured a difficult start to their campaign. The Cherries have picked up just four points so far this season and the pressure will be on Eddie Howe and his team for the results to improve.
Howe is a highly-rated young coach and has been touted as a future England boss. However, things have to improve for the Cherries and quickly or they could find themselves in a relegation battle this season.
The Cherries comfortably survived the drop last season, despite suffering a poor start to their top-flight campaign. Howe’s team need a similar sort of recovery this season, as they strive to get back to winning ways in the top-flight.
Everton will be confident of victory, but a surprise midweek EFL Cup exit against Championship Norwich has halted the Toffees momentum slightly.
Toffees boss Koeman fielded a weakened side against the Canaries and will have made the players who played in that game were aware that their performances were not good enough. A number of key players will return to the side such as Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Gareth Barry and maybe most importantly of all striker Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian international sustained a toe injury against Middlesbrough but is expected to feature for the Toffees having been rested against Norwich.
Everton will be favourites for this clash and the style of football may well suit the Toffees, as Howe likes to play possession football rather than produce physical football.
The side from Merseyside will head to Dorset expecting to win, but they certainly have to beware of complacency, as the Cherries are in need of a win to kick-start their campaign.