Roberto Martinez is under pressure and with a lengthy injury list to contend with as Everton prepare to face Bournemouth at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The sides head in the game level in the table and in similar form with three points from a possible 15 but there are contrasting moods off the pitch.
While Everton's board meet to discuss Martinez's future following continued fan protests, Eddie Howe has steered Bournemouth safely away from relegation to leave fans relishing a second season in the top flight.
Team news
Martinez will have to do without injured Gareth Barry, Phil Jagielka, Seamus Coleman and Ramiro Funes Mori.
But youngsters Callum Connolly and Tom Davies could come into consideration, while Kieran Dowell and Matthew Pennington could make their debuts.
Max Gradel may be back in the Bournemouth squad. Gradel missed the home defeat to Chelsea with the calf problem that saw him withdrawn during the previous game against Liverpool but the forward has improved this week and could return to contention.
However, Cherries boss Howe remains uncertain how long full-back Adam Smith (groin) and midfielder Harry Arter (Achilles) will be sidelined.
Opta stats
Everton have never lost against Bournemouth in the five matches they have played in all competitions (won four, drawn one).
Romelu Lukaku has scored in both of his appearances against Bournemouth this season, once in the Premier League and once in the FA Cup.
Lukaku has gone five Premier League appearances without a goal - he hasn't gone six in a row without a goal since January 2015.
Ross Barkley hasn't scored or assisted in any of his last 10 Premier League appearances for Everton.
Everton are winless in seven Premier League matches - they haven't gone eight without a win in the competition since December 1999 under Walter Smith.
The five meetings between the Cherries and the Toffees have averaged four goals per game.
Bournemouth mustered 10 shots on target against Everton back in November, the most they have ever managed in a single Premier League match.
The two latest goals in the Premier League this season have been scored against Everton including Junior Stanislas' late 97th minute equaliser for Bournemouth in the reverse fixture back in November.
Bournemouth have lost their last two Premier League games and haven't lost three in a row in the competition since November.
Eddie Howe's side have lost just one of their last seven Premier League away matches (won three, drawn three, lost one).
Merson's prediction
I know there's nothing to play for but this is a big game for Roberto Martinez. I don't think he can afford to lose this at home. You like to think the players are going to produce for him, and if they don't I think that will be it. He's got to win this game, and show a little bit.
The thing with Bournemouth is that they've got where they needed to get and you are going to take your foot off the gas, because they've had to work hard every single week for a result. What they've achieved is phenomenal, so I can understand what's happened with them, but this is still a dangerous game for Everton.
Paul predicts: Everton 2-1 Bournemouth - Romelu Lukaku to score first
Betting
Bournemouth go into Saturday's game as the underdogs with Sky Bet making the Cherries at 13/5 on to get the win and heap more pressure on Roberto Martinez, while struggling Everton are currently priced at 19/20 for win with the draw being traded at 11/4.
With two goals in his last three games Sky Bet have priced Bournemouth's Josh King up at 7/1 to score the game's first goal, while Soccer Saturday pundit and Liverpool legend Phil Thompson is tipping Romelu Lukaku to score in a Toffees' win at 13/8. See all the match odds here.