Match Information
Match Overview
This Regular Season Matchday 26 fixture between Everton and Bournemouth represents a crucial mid-season Premier League encounter at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Both teams enter this match positioned in the middle section of the table, with Everton currently 8th on 37 points and Bournemouth 11th on 34 points, making this a significant clash for European qualification ambitions.
The injury situation presents contrasting scenarios for both sides. Everton will be without Jack Grealish due to a foot injury, depriving Leighton Baines of a key creative midfielder who has been instrumental in their attacking transitions this season. Bournemouth face more substantial personnel issues with five players unavailable. Tyler Adams' knee injury removes their defensive midfield anchor, while Ben Doak's hamstring problem eliminates a pace threat from wide areas. Justin Kluivert's knee injury is particularly damaging as he's been one of their most consistent attacking outlets, and Marcus Tavernier's thigh injury further depletes their creative options from midfield.
Recent form patterns reveal interesting dynamics heading into this fixture. Everton's campaign has been characterized by resilience, having secured crucial away victories at Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, though they've struggled with consistency at home. Their balanced goal record of 28 scored and 28 conceded reflects a team finding equilibrium under Baines' management. Bournemouth's season tells a story of attacking ambition tempered by defensive fragility, with 41 goals scored but 44 conceded highlighting their open, entertaining style under Andoni Iraola.
The head-to-head record adds intrigue to this encounter, with recent meetings producing varied outcomes including Everton's 1-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium earlier this season and Bournemouth's emphatic 3-0 friendly win in their summer series encounter.
Predicted Lineups
Everton
J. Pickford; J. O'Brien, J. Tarkowski, M. Keane, V. Mykolenko; J. Garner, I. Gueye; I. Ndiaye, K. Dewsbury-Hall, D. McNeil; T. Barry
Bournemouth
D. Petrovic; A. Jimenez, J. Hill, M. Senesi, A. Truffert; L. Cook, A. Scott; R. Christie, A. Adli, Rayan; Evanilson
Team Form Analysis
Everton
Everton Form Analysis
Everton's recent form reflects a team gradually finding their rhythm under Leighton Baines' management, though consistency remains elusive. Their campaign has been marked by impressive away performances, including notable victories at Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, demonstrating resilience and tactical discipline in hostile environments. The Toffees have shown particular strength in grinding out results against quality opposition, with their 2-0 triumph at the City Ground highlighting their ability to execute game plans effectively.
However, home form has been more problematic, with mixed results at Hill Dickinson Stadium raising questions about their ability to impose themselves on familiar territory. The 4-2 defeat to Brentford exposed defensive vulnerabilities, while draws against Leeds and Wolves suggest difficulty in breaking down organized defensive units. Their attacking output has been modest but functional, with Tyler Barry emerging as a reliable focal point and Iliman Ndiaye providing creativity from deeper positions.
Defensively, the partnership of James Tarkowski and Michael Keane has provided stability, though occasional lapses have proved costly. Jordan Pickford's consistent performances between the posts have been crucial in keeping them competitive. The midfield combination of James Garner and Idrissa Gueye offers industry and experience, though the absence of Jack Grealish removes a key creative element for this fixture.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth Form Analysis
Bournemouth's season under Andoni Iraola has been characterized by entertaining, attacking football that has yielded impressive results against top-tier opposition but exposed defensive frailties. Their recent form showcases both the strengths and weaknesses of Iraola's progressive approach, with notable victories including a stunning 3-2 triumph over Liverpool and a commanding 2-0 win at Wolves demonstrating their capability against quality opponents.
The Cherries' attacking output of 41 goals reflects their commitment to positive football, with Evanilson establishing himself as a consistent threat and the creative midfield trio of Amine Adli, Ryan Christie, and Marcus Tavernier providing inventive service. However, their defensive record of 44 goals conceded highlights ongoing issues at the back, particularly in away fixtures where they've managed just two victories from twelve attempts.
Recent performances have shown tactical flexibility, with Iraola adapting formations and personnel to exploit opponent weaknesses. The draw with Aston Villa demonstrated their ability to compete with European contenders, while the penalty shootout defeat to Newcastle in the FA Cup showed character despite ultimately falling short. However, defensive injuries to key players like Justin Kluivert and Tyler Adams have disrupted their rhythm, forcing tactical adjustments that have impacted their overall balance and effectiveness in both phases of play.
Head-to-Head
Everton
Bournemouth
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-02 | Bournemouth | 0 - 1 | Everton |
| 2025-07-26 | Everton | 0 - 3 | Bournemouth |
| 2025-02-08 | Everton | 0 - 2 | Bournemouth |
| 2025-01-04 | Bournemouth | 1 - 0 | Everton |
| 2024-08-31 | Everton | 2 - 3 | Bournemouth |
| 2024-03-30 | Bournemouth | 2 - 1 | Everton |
| 2023-10-07 | Everton | 3 - 0 | Bournemouth |
| 2023-05-28 | Everton | 1 - 0 | Bournemouth |
| 2022-11-12 | Bournemouth | 3 - 0 | Everton |
| 2022-11-08 | Bournemouth | 4 - 1 | Everton |
Memorable Matches
The recent history between Everton and Bournemouth has produced several compelling encounters that highlight the competitive nature of this fixture. Bournemouth's 3-0 victory at Goodison Park in August 2024 stands out as a dominant display of attacking prowess, with the Cherries dismantling Everton's defense through pace and movement that overwhelmed the home side's defensive structure.
Everton's revenge came in the form of a crucial 1-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium in December 2025, showcasing their improved defensive solidity under new management and ability to grind out results away from home. This victory proved significant in their season trajectory and demonstrated tactical evolution.
The 2022 League Cup encounter deserves particular mention, with Bournemouth's emphatic 4-1 victory highlighting their attacking potential when everything clicks. That match showcased the entertainment value these fixtures can provide, with both teams committed to attacking football creating an open, goal-laden spectacle that epitomized the unpredictable nature of cup competitions.
Venue Factor
Hill Dickinson Stadium will play host to this Premier League encounter, with Everton's home record presenting a mixed picture this season. The Toffees have managed four wins, four draws, and four defeats at their home venue, suggesting they haven't yet established the fortress-like atmosphere that characterized their best periods at their previous ground. The 4-2 defeat to Brentford and draws against Leeds and Wolves indicate ongoing challenges in imposing their authority on home territory.
Bournemouth's away record of two wins from twelve attempts reveals significant travel difficulties under Iraola's management. Their attacking approach, while entertaining, has left them exposed on the road against teams willing to exploit defensive transitions. However, their recent 2-0 victory at Wolves demonstrates they possess the quality to secure results away from home when tactical execution aligns with their game plan.
The atmosphere at Hill Dickinson Stadium could prove crucial, with Everton supporters eager to see continued progress under Baines' management. Bournemouth's supporters, while fewer in number, have consistently backed their team's attacking philosophy throughout what has been an entertaining if inconsistent campaign.
Injury Concerns
Everton
Bournemouth
