Eddie Howe's Bournemouth side welcome travelling Everton to Dean Court in the Premier League on Saturday, as the seaside club aim to get their push for survival back on track with three home points.
As for the visiting Toffees, they are unbeaten in three league games and will be looking to extend that run as they travel down South.
Bournemouth
© Getty Images
After a promising start to life in the Premier League, Howe's men have come back to earth with a bump.
The Cherries now find themselves in 19th place in the league standings without a win in their last seven matches since beating Sunderland in September.
Since those three points, Bournemouth have lost five and drawn two in a run that has led some onlookers to question Howe's attacking approach to some of his fixtures.
The club's proven ability at creating chances was more than apparent against Swansea City at the weekend when AFC burst into a two-goal lead early on, but they were soon pegged back as they threw away the lead to draw 2-2.
A point at the Liberty Stadium is by no means a bad result, although Howe will be irked about throwing away points from a winning position, just like they had previously done against both Watford and Tottenham Hotspur during October.
This fixture marks the start of a difficult run against Everton, Chelsea and Manchester United, and Howe will be hoping that they can snatch at least a point or two before going into slightly less ominous clashes against West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace.
One thing that the Bournemouth boss will be keen to avoid is his side dropping their heads as we approach what is arguably one of the most crucial periods in the season.
Recent form: DLLLLD
Recent form (all competitions): LLLLLD
Everton
© Getty Images
After losing consecutive games to Man United and Arsenal in the middle of October, Roberto Martinez seems to have pulled his players back on track.
The Toffees are now unbeaten in their last three in the league, inclusive of two wins and a draw.
Everton recently looked impressive when scoring a combined 10 goals in victories over Sunderland and Aston Villa, while they were also able to snatch a draw away at West Ham United in between.
Much of the club's success this season has been built on a standout conversion rate that has seen Everton score one in five of their attempts on goal at a rate of 20%.
A key contributor to that form has been Romelu Lukaku, who now finds himself with seven goals in his last seven league fixtures. When Everton start moving the ball well goals are almost certain to follow, and that will surely please fans who have seen their side notch all 24 of their goals this term from open play.
The Toffees have often tended to produce a rather baffling result sandwiched between impressive ones in the first half of the season, and that is something that Martinez will be keen to rectify over the winter months.
Recent form: DLLWDW
Recent form (all competitions): LLWWDW
Team News
© Getty Images
Bournemouth are currently waiting to hear on the conditions of Artur Boruc, Lee Tomlin, Christian Atsu and Marc Pugh before Saturday.
Long-term injuries to Tommy Elphick, Tyrone Mings, Max Gradel and Callum Wilson will likely mean that Howe could name the same side that drew at Swansea.
As for Everton, Leighton Baines and Tyias Browning are both aiming to make comebacks soon, although it is unclear as to whether this game will come too soon for the pair.
Martinez could name the same side that beat Villa, with the club still missing Phil Jagielka, Steven Pienaar, Tony Hibbert and Bryan Oviedo.
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Federici; Francis, Distin, Cook, Daniels; Stanislas, Surman, Gosling, Ritchie; Arter; King
Everton possible starting lineup:
Howard; Coleman, Mori, Stones, Galloway; Barry, McCarthy; Kone, Barkley, Deulofeu; Lukaku
Head To Head
The competitive history between the teams is fairly threadbare, given that the sides have only met twice since the incarnation of Bournemouth as it stands today. The clubs last met in the Milk Cup in 1985, where Everton were able to progress beyond the second round with a 5-2 victory over two legs.
Video Preview
Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: Bournemouth 1-2 Everton
Everton come into this game having lost just once from six away fixtures this season, and they will be confident of gaining three points as they aim to break into the European spots before Christmas. As for Bournemouth, they will be eyeing a win to give themselves some confidence as they seek to break away from the clutches of relegation. Everton have scored 11 in their last three games and that efficiency could cost Howe's men come the end of Saturday afternoon.
Christopher Dodd
