Opposition report: Everton head back to unhappy hunting ground at Bournemouth

There have been times when going to the Vitality Stadium has been a horrible experience for Everton — players, managers and fans alike. Paddy Boyland of The Athletic once coined a term, “the place where Everton managers to go to die”.

Frank Lampard lost twice in the space of 4 days at the Vitality. Sean Dyche’s final game in charge of Everton was a 1-0 loss at Bournemouth. Heck, we can even go all the way back to 2015, when Roberto Martinez’s Everton threw away a 3-2 lead in the final knockings of stoppage time. 

Last season, though, Everton banished some demons by claiming a 1-0 win at Bournemouth in December. The Cherries went on to have a brilliant second half of the season, though, going 18 games unbeaten.

However, Andoni Iraola has left, and when Everton head down there for Saturday’s fixture, it will mark Marco Rose’s first home game in charge. 

Here, we preview what to expect from Bournemouth.

LAST TIME OUT

Rose seemed set to get his tenure underway with a superb 1-0 win away at Manchester City, but the Cherries conceded twice late on to go down 2-1.

That marked their first Premier League defeat since January, when they lost to Arsenal. A quite incredible run.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Everton have faced Bournemouth 24 times. The record is split equally, with 11 Toffees wins, 11 Cherries wins and 2 draws.

However, Bournemouth have won 5 of the last 6 meetings between these teams, with Everton’s victory in the corresponding fixture last term the only time the Toffees have got the better of them in that run.

Bournemouth’s Form

Here are Bournemouth’s last six competitive results:

22 April: Bournemouth 2-2 Leeds United

3 May: Bournemouth 3-0 Crystal Palace

9 May: Fulham 0-1 Bournemouth

19 May: Bournemouth 1-1 Man City

24 May: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Bournemouth

23 August: Man City 2-1 Bournemouth

ONE TO WATCH

Bournemouth have plenty of attacking talent at their disposal, albeit Everton will be buoyed by the fact that Junior Kroupi — the Cherries’ star young forward — is out injured.

However, Rose still has quality to call on, and Marcus Tavernier is one of Bournemouth’s consistent high performers.

Tavernier scored against Man City, and he has been linked with Everton this summer. Capable of playing anywhere across the attacking midfield/wing positions, he’s an excellent player who will cause a constant threat.

WHAT CAN EVERTON TARGET? 

Man City created plenty of chances before Marc Guehi finally levelled up last week, and Bournemouth’s defence can certainly be got at.

In particular, Bournemouth looked shaky from set-pieces — they gave up a huge opportunity early in the second half, when Guehi strolled in unmarked to meet a corner, only to head wide. However, Man City’s equaliser came from a similar situation, with the Cherries defenders once again failing to pick Guehi up.

With James Tarkowski and, all being well, Jarrad Branthwaite set to feature, and Thierno Barry in superb form, Everton have plenty of big men to aim for in the box. The delivery just has to be spot on.

 

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