For all the money that the Toffees spent in the summer transfer window, they failed to completely replace their talisman Romelu Lukaku from the previous season and are currently struggling at the bottom of the table. It is still too early in the campaign to draw conclusions but it is not too early for Everton to get their season back on track.
After the loss to Manchester United in the previous round, Everton are now ready to host a Bournemouth side, that will be high on confidence after back to back victories over Brighton in the last two games. Ronald Koeman has a few selection issues ahead of this tie but here is the predicted lineup he might field for this tie:
Team News
In early team news, the likes of James McCarthy, Roberto Funes Mori, Seamus Coleman, Ross Barkley and Yannick Bolasie all remain sidelined with injuries, leaving Everton a bit weak. However, Koeman has no new injuries to worry about ahead of this tie.
Predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)
Defence
English ace Jordan Pickford has been in decent form but has not been helped by his defence. He has done little wrong this season and should hold on to his place in the first team. The experienced Leighton Baines is expected to play on the left-side of the defence while young Mason-Holgate will add the youthful exuberance on the right-side.
Ashley Williams needs to improve at the back and he will hope to form a solid partnership with Michael Keane, to help keep Bournemouth’s threats to a bare minimum in this tie.
Midfield
Former United star Morgan Schneiderlin has made a decent start to the campaign and is expected to keep his place at the heart of the midfield for Everton. He should be partnered with Idrissa Gueye, who adds, energy and industry to Everton’s midfield, which could be the key to pluck point off Cherries.
Attack
This has been an area of concern for Koeman so far this season. The experienced Wayne Rooney might be given an opportunity to lead the attacking line in this tie, using Tom Davies and his creativity in a no.10 role against Bournemouth.
Both players have been decent and will hope to break Bournemouth’s resilience early in the game. Kevin Mirallas has not been at his best but is expected to start on the right side of the attack while former Swansea man Gylfi Sigurdsson has finally settled in at the Goodison Park and is expected to start on the left flank.
Here is how they might line up:
