Ahead of the Premier League’s resumption, an intriguing fixture looms as Everton prepares to host Bournemouth. Under the stewardship of David Moyes, who has made a triumphant return to Goodison Park, Everton’s form has seen a significant resurgence. The Toffees have distanced themselves from the relegation zone, buoyed by a streak of three consecutive Premier League victories, including a commanding win over Leicester City last weekend.
Match Info
- FA Cup: Round 4
- Saturday 8th February 2025 10:00 EST / 15:00 GMT
- Goodison Park
Yet, this is not an ordinary week for Everton. While plans are underway for a move to a new stadium at Bramley Dock next season, inclement weather earlier this year forced the postponement of the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in December. With the rescheduled derby against Liverpool set for this Wednesday, focus within the club may inevitably be divided.
Facing Everton in this FA Cup tie is a Bournemouth side that, despite a recent defeat to Liverpool which halted their impressive form, remains optimistic under manager Andoni Iraola. Iraola, since his arrival at the Vitality Stadium, has consistently selected strong lineups in domestic cup competitions, reflecting his commitment to a prolonged FA Cup campaign. Moreover, Bournemouth continues to vie for a place in European competitions next season.
With a clear week to prepare and an eye on progressing to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup, Bournemouth’s dedicated focus contrasts with Everton’s divided attention. This advantage, coupled with their attacking prowess, positions Bournemouth favourably to possibly secure their third victory over Everton this season. Opting for The Cherries on the Asian Handicap, which offers a return of the stake in the event of a draw within 90 minutes, could be a strategic bet.
Everton
Everton’s prospects in the Premier League have brightened considerably, with a string of significant victories easing relegation fears and rekindling aspirations for silverware under the guidance of David Moyes. Moyes, in his second stint at the helm, is keen to build on a history of FA Cup success, recalling a near triumph in 2009 when Everton reached the final, only to be edged out by Chelsea.
The Toffees have also had strong performances in recent FA Cup campaigns, including a confident 2-0 victory over Peterborough United at Goodison Park in this season’s Third Round. However, memories of last season’s Fourth Round exit to Luton Town at the same stage remain fresh. Moyes, reinstated just before the Peterborough match, has since spurred Everton to four wins in their last five outings across all competitions, including three consecutive Premier League wins that have steered them clear of the drop zone. These victories followed a narrow defeat to Aston Villa and included back-to-back league wins at home against Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City.
Injury concerns hover as Orel Mangala faces several months out with an ACL injury, and both Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are working towards returns within the next few weeks. With a pivotal Merseyside derby in the league scheduled for midweek, Moyes may opt to rotate his squad, balancing the pursuit of a prolonged FA Cup run with the demands of a critical league fixture. This strategic management will be crucial as Everton aims to maintain momentum while navigating a packed fixture list.
Bournemouth
Since taking the reins at Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola has demonstrated a keen focus on excelling in domestic cup competitions, despite an early exit in the League Cup at West Ham. Now, with the FA Cup advancing, Bournemouth finds itself in a position to aim for significant achievements in this historic tournament.
Although a recent loss to Liverpool in the Premier League stung, the performance level in that match has provided Iraola and his team with many positives. The Cherries remain strong contenders for a European spot through their league campaign, and they look to surpass last season’s achievement where they reached the Fifth Round of the FA Cup only to be narrowly defeated by Leicester City.
Before their setback against Liverpool, Bournemouth had notched an impressive 12-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. Their resilience on the road has been particularly noteworthy, with the team undefeated in their last six away matches, securing four wins during this stretch. This includes a commanding 4-1 victory at Newcastle United.
Looking ahead, Bournemouth could be bolstered by the return of Luis Sinisterra to the squad this weekend. Additionally, players like James Hill, Adam Smith, and Alex Scott are on the mend, with hopes of rejoining the team as the Premier League gears back into action next weekend. This blend of returning talent and strong recent form positions Bournemouth well to make a deep run in the FA Cup, continuing their pursuit of glory on multiple fronts.
America Bet Match Winner Prediction
Bournemouth to Win
In this intriguing FA Cup matchup, Bournemouth stands out as the likely victor. The Cherries have shown remarkable resilience and consistency in their recent away games, remaining unbeaten in their last six matches on the road. This includes a dominant 4-1 win against Newcastle United, which highlights their capability to perform under pressure and away from home comforts. Bournemouth’s manager, Andoni Iraola, has his team well-prepared and focused on the importance of the FA Cup, and their solid performance against a tough Liverpool side in their last outing, despite the loss, indicates that they can compete at a high level. With key players like Luis Sinisterra possibly returning to the lineup, Bournemouth’s squad depth and morale are poised to tip the scales in their favour against an Everton side that may be distracted by their upcoming pivotal Merseyside derby in the Premier League.
America Bet Score Prediction
Everton 1 – 2 Bournemouth
Based on current form and strategic priorities, Bournemouth are predicted to edge out Everton with a 2-1 victory. The Cherries’ commendable away record and ability to score decisively, as evidenced by their recent thumping victory at Newcastle, bolster their case for pulling off a win at Goodison Park. Everton, meanwhile, faces the challenge of dividing their focus due to the imminent Merseyside derby against Liverpool, which could impact their performance in this match. Bournemouth’s determination to progress in the FA Cup, coupled with their demonstrated resilience in bouncing back from setbacks, positions them favourably to overcome Everton in what promises to be a closely contested battle.
America Bet Betting Tips
- Bournemouth to Win
- Correct Score: Everton 1 – 2 Bournemouth
- Both Teams to Score
- Over 2.5 Goals in the Match
- Bournemouth to Win or Draw (Double Chance)
- First Goal Scorer: Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)
- Anytime Goal Scorer: Luis Sinisterra (Bournemouth)
- Bournemouth to Lead at Half-Time
- Total Corners Over 9.5
- Bournemouth to Score in Both Halves
