Everton v Bournemouth preview: Idrissa Gana Gueye back in contention

Image: Idrissa Gana Gueye of Everton is back from international duty

In-form Everton will be looking to give their fans more reason to cheer when Bournemouth visit on Saturday.

Ronald Koeman's men have won four of their last six matches and have lost just one of their last 14 home matches in the Premier League.

In contrast, Eddie Howe's Bournemouth are struggling to find their best form having not won any of their last five games in all competitions, losing three of their last four.

Team news

Idrissa Gana Gueye is set to return to Everton's team after his stint at the African Nations Cup with Senegal came to an end.

The midfielder was not considered for the midweek draw at Stoke but manager Koeman believes the extra few days have given him time to be ready.

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It gives Koeman a decision to make in terms of the make-up of his midfield as Morgan Schneiderlin is set for his home debut and youngster Tom Davies has impressed in recent weeks.

Bournemouth must do without Callum Wilson for the trip to Everton after the forward was ruled out for the rest of the season with knee ligament damage suffered in training.

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Image: Callum Wilson has suffered a second serious knee injury and will miss the rest of the season

Left-back Charlie Daniels is also not available as he recovers from the hamstring problem which forced him to miss the midweek defeat to Crystal Palace.

Midfielder Marc Wilson and forward Lewis Grabban secured Deadline Day moves away from the club, while 18-year-old goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is expected to be in the squad after his recent move from Sheffield United.

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Junior Stanislas' goal in September at the Vitality Stadium was the only goal of the game as Bournemouth handed Ronald Koeman his first league defeat in charge of Everton.

Watch a preview of Saturday's Premier League fixtures including Bournemouth's trip to Everton

That 1-0 win is Bournemouth's only victory in seven previous games with Everton in all competitions (W1 D1 L5).

Bournemouth scored with their only shot on target against Everton in September.

Everton are only one point shy this season (22) of their total home league points (23) for the whole of the 2015-16 season.

The Cherries have either conceded three times or not at all in each of their last six away Premier League games (two clean sheets), going down 3-1 at Hull in their last away trip.

In the three Premier League matches Davies has started at Goodison Park, Everton have won all three while scoring 10 goals and conceding none.

Bournemouth have won only one of their last four Premier League games in which they've scored the first goal (D1 L2).

Joel Robles has conceded just four goals in his eight Premier League appearances for Everton this season, with just one of those coming in his last four games.

Ross Barkley has created more goalscoring chances than any other English player in the Premier League this season (48).

Image: Ross Barkley has created plenty of opportunities for team-mates this season

No side have used more English players in the Premier League this season than Bournemouth (14 - level with Burnley).

Merson's prediction

Bournemouth have hit a bit of a brick wall and need a victory quickly. Otherwise they could see themselves getting dragged into the relegation scrap.

However, this is another difficult game for them and I can't see past an Everton win.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0

Betting

Everton are odds-on favourites (8/11) to pick up all three points with Bournemouth 18/5, while the draw is priced at 14/5.

The Toffees to win and both teams to score is a 9/4 chance, while the hosts to prevail from behind is on offer at 9/1. Romelu Lukaku tops the first goalscorer market at 7/2, with Benik Afobe considered most likely for the away side at 17/2.

There's £250,000 up for grabs again this weekend for simply predicting the six correct scores in the Premier League 3pm kick-offs. Enter your selections here.

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