Protest promises to overshadow the on-field action as Everton host AFC Bournemouth on Saturday evening.
As Everton’s plight continues to worsen, so too do the prospects of manager Roberto Martinez keeping his job. The Toffees’ two most previous results have been hugely underwhelming, particularly for the club’s increasingly frustrated fans, thumped 4-0 by Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby followed by a last-gasp FA Cup elimination at the hands of Manchester United.
If the fans’ displeasure is anything to go by, the Spaniard’s job is fast becoming untenable as the Blues remain in the bottom half of the table and without a win since 13 March. That despondency has led the faithful to organise a protest aimed at mobilising Everton to fire the coach.
Bournemouth are the visiting side and, despite not being in their best form of the season, can be content having secured Premier League survival. To add to that, the Cherries will be on a high one year on from achieving their miracle promotion to the top flight.
I …….love those boys more than ever #OneYearOn #afcb pic.twitter.com/j6NghDliC0
— Jeff Mostyn (@jeffmostyn) April 27, 2016
They are level on points with Everton on 41, despite winning two more games than the Merseysiders, and could climb above their hosts into 11th if other results go their way.
Key Battle – The mental duel
Bournemouth can be expected to enjoy far less possession than Everton on the day, but they will be the side with a greater level of confidence. Eddie Howe and his team will be riding high having achieved their preseason goal of Premier League survival and according to Tommy Elphick, are still hungry for more.
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That is in total contrast to Everton who are reeling. Their FA Cup semi-final defeat may well have ended differently, highlighted by Romelu Lukaku’s penalty miss and compounded by Anthony Martial’s 93rd-minute winner. How the Blues respond to their week from hell will be telling in the context of the match.
Team News
Everton will be without a number of key men come the weekend. Phil Jagielka, Gareth Barry and Seamus Coleman have all been ruled out through injury, while Ramiro Funes Mori is still banned after receiving his marching orders for a nasty tackle on Divock Origi in the derby. A makeshift back line could be forced, with Mo Besic likely to fill in at right-back while Bryan Oviedo could be a candidate to line up in the middle. Martinez has hinted youngster Kieran Dowell could be apart of the matchday squad.
Bournemouth have plenty of options to choose from and could be boosted further if attacker Max Gradel is deemed fit to return to action. Callum Wilson returned to the team via the bench against Chelsea having worked his way back from a serious knee injury and is likely to play some part again.
Head-to-Head
Everton and Bournemouth have met on only two occasions, both this season at the Vitality Stadium. On the first occasion, the Cherries miraculously snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat. Everton looked home and hosed when Ross Barkley fired them ahead in the 95th minute, only for the hosts to equalise almost immediately. An FA Cup meeting followed that, but this time it was much more conventional for Everton as they progressed via a 2-0 win.
Previous Meeting
The most recent meeting between the two clubs was that FA Cup tussle in February. Second half goals from Barkley and Lukaku ensured Everton would progress.
Prediction
Anything but a win for Everton could spell the end for Martinez, and the forecast appears bleak. The Toffees have won only four times at home in the league this season and have lost as many of their last six games at Goodison Park. With confidence down and tensions high, a draw appears likely against a Bournemouth side that can now enjoy its football.
Everton 2 AFC Bournemouth 2
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