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Everton play their second home game in a run of four today, hosting AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. This fixture last season proved to be a rollicking goal-strewn affair with the Blues prevailing 6-3. Goals have proved harder to come by this season and it’ll be unlikely we see a similar scoreline this afternoon.
Manager Ronald Koeman said on Thursday that though Seamus Coleman and Yannick Bolasie were making good progress and have been training with the squad at Finch Farm, they are not expected back before November.
The only other player they might get back before that time is midfielder James McCarthy whose minor hamstring ailment has turned into a weeks-long affair. Ross Barkley is still recovering from surgery and won’t return before December, with Ramiro Funes Mori out till March at least.
For the visitors, defender Tyrone Mings is out for at least a month with a back issue. However, the Cherries will welcome back Junior Stanislas who has proved to be a thorn in Everton’s flesh a few times in the past.
Forward Callum Wilson and goalkeeper Adam Federici are still out and will play no part today.