Everton predicted line-up vs Bournemouth clash with four key changes made as £22m man remains a doubt

Everton head into Saturday’s cruicial Goodison Park clash with Bournemouth looking to avoid making an unwanted Premier League record.

Only four other top-flight clubs have lost their opening five home games of a season and the Toffees could add their name to that list after emerging pointless from Goodison Park meetings with Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Arsenal and Luton Town over the last two months.

There had been some positivity prior to the latter of those defeats after Sean Dyche’s side picked up a first league win with a 3-1 victory at Brentford and then saw off Aston Villa with a 2-1 win in a Carabao Cup tie at Villa Park. However, the home reverse against the Hatters has put a halt on what Dyche hoped could be a positive run of form that would catapult his side away from the relegation zone.

That has placed extra emphasis on this weekend’s meeting with Bournemouth, who have also endured a challenging start to the Premier League campaign after failing to win any of their opening seven league games.

What has Sean Dyche said on injuries and team selection?

There was some concern over the fitness of Idrissa Gueye after he was substituted at half-time during last weekend’s defeat against Luton.

However, the midfielder’s withdrawal was down to tactical reasons and he will be available to face Bournemouth on Saturday. Dyche does have some big decisions to make as he looks to finally pick up a long-awaited win on home soil.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he said: “Seamus (Coleman) is still making progress, but a bit away yet. Andre (Gomes) has been in and out with niggly calf injuries so he is touch-and-go whether he makes the squad. Dele (Alli) is longer term.”

What has Sean Dyche said about Saturday’s game with Bournemouth?

Even at this relatively early point in the season, some have suggested Saturday’s meeting between two sides currently sat in the bottom of five of the table is a must-win game.

Dyche was asked if he shared that view in his pre-match press conference as his side look to end their poor run of form at Goodison Park.

He said: “We are trying to change a two-year-old story. I think the last thing we have to change is taking opportunities and control of the games we are dominating. We are so close yet so far away. We have to turn those performances into wins. It's not to do with the fans. It's a team thing, not just one individual. I’ve heard that so many times since I’ve been at this club. Every game is a must-win.”

Everton predicted XI v Bournemouth

Jordan Pickford; Nathan Patterson, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, Vitaliy Mykolenko; Jack Harrison, Amadou Onana, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Dwight McNeil; Beto, Dominic Calvert-Lewin.