Everton Hosts Bournemouth in a High-Stakes FA Cup Encounter
Everton and Bournemouth face off in the FA Cup fourth round at Goodison Park this Saturday, as both teams aim to keep their cup dreams alive. This encounter marks Bournemouth’s final visit to the historic stadium, where they pulled off an incredible late comeback in August, securing a 3-2 victory with three goals beyond the 87th minute.
The Toffees have undergone a significant transformation since their turbulent third-round tie against Peterborough United. After parting ways with their manager, Everton quickly appointed David Moyes for a second spell at the club, and his impact has been immediate. Despite a losing start, the experienced coach has since led Everton to three consecutive wins—an achievement unmatched by any team outside the Premier League’s top eight this season. This turnaround has seen them move nine points clear of the relegation zone, offering much-needed stability.
Now with safety in sight, Everton fans are eager for a cup run to inject excitement into their season. The Merseyside club last lifted the FA Cup 30 years ago, and their most recent trips to Wembley have ended in semi-final heartbreak. However, Goodison Park has been a fortress in this competition, with the Toffees winning eight of their last ten FA Cup home matches—although they suffered a fourth-round defeat here last season against Luton Town.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, have been a thorn in Everton’s side in recent years, winning seven of the last nine meetings, including both league encounters this season. The Cherries have the chance to make history by defeating Everton three times in one campaign—a feat they haven’t accomplished since the 2012-13 season. However, their FA Cup record is less inspiring, as they have only advanced beyond the fourth round four times in club history.
Despite their struggles in this competition, Bournemouth have higher ambitions this season. With Champions League qualification a real possibility, Andoni Iraola may have to weigh his priorities. The Cherries sit just a point off fifth place, which could be enough for a Champions League spot, while also maintaining a four-point cushion over ninth-placed Fulham in the race for European football.
Squad rotation could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of this match. Everton may look to rest key players with the Merseyside derby looming on Wednesday. Injuries in attack mean Beto is likely to start, with Iliman Ndiaye proving indispensable in recent weeks. Meanwhile, new signing Carlos Alcaraz could make his debut. Bournemouth, too, are dealing with injuries and will be without multiple defensive options, forcing them into creative lineup solutions.
With both sides balancing cup ambitions with league priorities, this encounter promises to be a fiercely contested battle. Everton’s resurgence under Moyes and Bournemouth’s strong league form set the stage for an intriguing showdown at Goodison Park.
Predicted Lineups
Everton: Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Keane, Young; Harrison, Garner, Gueye, Iroegbunam, Ndiaye; Beto
Bournemouth: Kepa; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Winterburn, Brooks; Tavernier, Jebbison, Ouattara
Everton’s defensive improvements under Moyes and Bournemouth’s attacking threat suggest a closely fought encounter. The Toffees will have the home advantage, but the visitors’ recent form could push this tie to penalties, where Bournemouth may have the edge.
