Cherries host Everton in New Year’s Clash

The Cherries are looking to start the New Year just like how they finished 2024. An unbeaten December means Andoni Iraola’s side are in great shape.

They host Everton at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon, the first game of the final half of the season.

The Cherries are coming off the back of a 2-2 draw away at Fulham, earned by a late Dango Ouattara strike.

The Toffees last time out lost 2-0 at home to Nottingham Forest, that was after having drawn against Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

In the reverse fixture, the Cherries secured a famous victory at Goodison Park. Despite being 2-0 down in the 87th minute, late goals from Antoine Semenyo, Lewis Cook and Luis Sinisterra secured all three points.

Andoni Iraola has said this result, and the nature of the opposition will make it a tough test for the Cherries, he said: “We know it’s going to be difficult.

“We will have to be clinical because they don’t normally give you a lot of chances.

“We have to be ready. To win the duels, and  to be tactically disciplined.”

After both missing the Fulham trip, Tyler Adams and Justin Kluivert will be back available for the Cherries.

Wingers Luis Sinisterra and Marcus Tavernier, alongside veteran fullback Adam Smith, are still sidelined with their respective injuries.

It was revealed Friday afternoon that the Cherries have signed American international Matai Akinmboni from DC United.

Andoni Iraola is excited about the club’s new recruit, he said: “He’s a player that’s still very young.

“The process will be that he has to get some rhythm before training with us (first team).

“I hope he feels comfortable and wins trust from everyone.

“He has very good physicality, and he’s comfortable on the ball.”

Since the Cherries first promotion to the Premier League in 2015, they have never lost to Everton at home.

They’ll be looking to keep that record going on Saturday, with kick off at the Vitality Stadium at 3pm.