Everton travel to the south coast and a fixture against Bournemouth for their first away game of the 2026-27 Premier League season.
David Moyes will be hoping the Toffees’ positive start to proceedings that has seen two wins, six goals scored and none conceded, puts his players in a positive frame of mind approaching this test, although he still maintains the squad needs strengthening in certain positions as the last days of the transfer window loom.
Bournemouth had a difficult start to their Premier League season, but it looked for a long while like they might steal a win at the Etihad thanks to an early goal from Tavernier until Man City equalised late on and then got the winner in time added on.
New boss Marco Rose will be without Julian Araujo, Eli Kroupi, Amine Adli and Veljko Milosavljevic for his first home game in charge of the Cherries, while Julio Soler faces a late fitness check. Ryan Christie will be available again after serving a suspension.
Rose said of Everton: “They defend well, they try to press high in different formations and their box defending is really diligent. They have players with quality on the ball. Their wingers are one-v-one players who are always able to hurt you if you aren’t awake.”
EVERTON TEAM NEWS
James Garner appears to have recovered well from groin surgery but his minutes are being managed. Branthwaite was rested for the trip to Preston, suggesting he might start. Hackney rolled his ankle last weekend and that’s why he didn’t play in midweek. He’s “touch and go”, says Moyes.
We’ve still seen nothing of Christian Nørgaard despite his assurances last week that it was just “a small injury”, and that he is “getting very close” to a return. But it now turns out that he is not making great progress at the moment following a small groin injury sustained during pre-season. Although the club have said little, Tim Iroegbunam’s abductor injury means he is unlikely to play again until October at the earliest.
Barry seems certain to continue up front having finally eclipsed Beto with his goalscoring exploits in the first two games.
Tyler Dibling was given another big chance to make his presence known against Preston but it didn’t really come off for him, so Tyrique George should get another opportunity to perfect his trademark cut inside move to plant a curler into the top corner! One day…
EVERTON PREDICTED LINEUP (4-2-3-1)
Pickford; Röhl, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Barry
BOURNEMOUTH VS EVERTON: MATCH DETAILS
Kick-off: 3pm BST, Saturday 29 August
Venue: The Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth
HOW TO WATCH BOURNEMOUTH VS EVERTON
This Premier League game between Bournemouth and Everton will not be broadcast live on television in the UK. For updates, please join the ToffeeWeb Live Forum.