Everton travel to face Bournemouth in the Premier League this Saturday with manager David Moyes weighing up key selection decisions. The match at the Vitality Stadium comes as Everton sit 14th in the table with one point from their opening two games, having scored twice and conceded three. Moyes described summer signing Hayden Hackney as 'touch and go' after an ankle roll, while Brennan Johnson's impact off the bench in midweek gives him a strong case for inclusion. The official line-up will be announced at 1.45pm on Saturday.
Everton began their league campaign with a 2-0 home win over Crystal Palace, where young winger Tyrique George was voted man-of-the-match by supporters inside HHill Dickinson Stadium. They followed that with a 4-0 victory at Preston North End in the Carabao Cup second round. Johnson, a substitute in that cup tie, scored one goal and provided an assist, making a compelling argument for a starting role against Bournemouth. This is a positive turn for the winger, who failed to score in 26 appearances for Crystal Palace last season.
James Garner returned to action in the Carabao Cup but is not considered fully fit. This leaves a question mark over the central midfield positions alongside Harrison Armstrong. Hackney, signed from Middlesbrough this summer, is the primary doubt after his ankle issue. If Hackney is unavailable, Moyes could turn to Jake O'Brien as a centre-back option and shift James Tarkowski, or use a different midfield combination entirely. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is expected to start as the advanced central midfielder in the predicted 4-2-3-1 formation.
Two Everton writers for the Liverpool Echo, Joe Thomas and Chris Beesley, have offered their predicted starting elevens. Both foresee a 4-2-3-1 system with Jordan Pickford in goal, a back four of Merlin Rohl, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Vitaliy Mykolenko, and Thierno Barry leading the attack. Their selections diverge in the attacking midfield slots. Joe Thomas predicts Iliman Ndiaye and Tyrique George on the wings with Dewsbury-Hall central. Chris Beesley opts for Brennan Johnson and Iliman Ndiaye wide, with Dewsbury-Hall in the number ten role. Branthwaite was rested for the cup match as his minutes are being managed.
The options available to Moyes show a blend of youth and experience. Wingers Tyler Dibling and Tyrique George have had minutes, while forward Thierno Barry is another attacking option. The current injury list, which includes Amine Adli, Eli Junior Kroupi, Julián Araujo, and Veljko Milosavljević, means squad management is important early in the season. Fans can check the latest availability updates on the club's injuries page. Everton's next fixture after Bournemouth is a trip to face fifth-placed Newcastle United on September 5th, a run of games detailed on the fixtures schedule.
This Premier League encounter is an opportunity for Everton to build momentum. They currently trail league leaders Manchester City by five points. Securing a positive result on the road would provide a boost before the international break. The team's defensive record of three goals conceded in two games will be tested against Bournemouth's attack. Supporters can follow the team's progress in the standings as the season develops. Moyes's decisions on Johnson and Hackney could define Everton's approach in a match that carries significance for their early-season positioning.
