AFC Bournemouth v Everton Betting Tips

These two have had contrasting starts to the season with Everton flying high in second whilst Bournemouth have just the one win to their name and sit in a precarious 17th position. The Toffees are the favourites for this match and it is easy to see why.

Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth lost 4-0 away at Manchester City last time out in the league but, even discounting that forgivable result, it has been a pretty poor start for the Cherries. They have only kept one clean sheet all season and that was at home to West Bromwich Albion – not the most adventurous side on the road.

Their misery was compounded on Tuesday night by their EFL League Cup defeat to Championship side Preston North End. Although it must be said that Bournemouth did field a weakened side against Preston, that line-up still included former club record signing Benik Afobe along with the likes of Max Gradel and Nathan Ake. Not forgetting striker Lewis Grabban who they resigned from Norwich City for more than £7m just nine months ago.

Going into a match against high-flying Everton is not really what you want when confidence is low. Especially when the pressure is on to start picking up points to avoid a relegation dog fight. A draw would no doubt be a good result for Bournemouth.

However, it was not just on the pitch where there was trouble at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday night. There was a farcical situation regarding ticketing with many fans unable to get into the stadium before half time whilst others just gave up and went home. Hopefully that mess is cleared up by Saturday.

Ronald Koeman has come into Everton and completely changed the club within the first five matches of the new season. Last year under Roberto Martinez there was a lot of apathy amongst the Goodison Park faithful as they started to turn on their manager for inept performances and deluded post-match comments. It has been a complete turnaround under Koeman with Everton now sitting second in the league.

Former Southampton boss Koeman has certainly brought a freshness to the club and that has shown on the pitch with four consecutive Premier League wins. The Dutchman has recruited well bringing in the likes of Yannick Bolasie from Crystal Palace and Idrissa Gueye from Aston Villa. However, there is another signing that has gone somewhat under the radar and that is defender Ashley Williams from Swansea. Last season under Roberto Martinez the Everton defence looked incredibly inept but Wales captain Williams has come in and slotted seamlessly alongside Phil Jagielka at centre-half. The duo look like they have been playing together for five years rather than just five games.

Everton have only conceded three goals in the league this season, second only to Tottenham Hotspur and fewer than table-toppers Manchester City.

Perhaps just as important as those new signings was keeping Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku at the club. The former Chelsea forward suffered a difficult start but his season was suddenly ignited by an 11 minute hat-trick against Sunderland a week or so ago. He notched in the following game against the Premier League’s other North East club Middlesbrough and it now looks like the Belgium international can go on to challenge at the top of the goal-scoring charts – particularly with the likes of Yannick Bolasie supplying the sort of excellent crosses he has put in so far this season.

Going up against a vulnerable looking Bournemouth defence who have shipped quite a lot of goals against sides towards the top of the table, I would certainly back Lukaku to score anytime at 7/5.

The other bet I would go for is Everton to win. For me this result is pretty much beyond doubt with the Cherries looking a bit dodgy, especially against the bigger sides, and with Everton absolutely flying (not counting their League Cup loss to Norwich midweek with their weakened team) the chance to make a decent profit on an Everton win in a match like this is an opportunity not to missed. A Toffees win is well worth the bet at 6/5.

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