Everton team news v Bournemouth predicted by Chris Sutton in FA Cup clash
Chris Sutton has predicted the scoreline of Everton’s FA Cup showdown against Bournemouth at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The Toffees have won three of their four games since the return of David Moyes as manager at Goodison Park.
However, Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth are in excellent form this term and trying to ensure their clash against the south coast club on 8 February isn’t the final FA Cup game will not be an easy task.
The Toffees come into this game off the back of a 4-0 victory against Leicester so confidence in the Blues camp will no doubt be high.
However, the FA Cup may not be at the top of Everton’s list of priorities this term given they still have a Premier League relegation battle on their hands.
The Blues have risen to six points above the drop zone but Moyes will know his side cannot get too comfortable too soon, with plenty of football still to play before the end of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth come into this game in great form this term as they sit seventh in the league.
The Cherries did lose against Liverpool last time out in Premier League action but before that, they were 12 games unbeaten in all competitions showing their abilities this term.
Last time they were in FA Cup action, they saw off Championship side West Brom with a 5-1 win suggesting this is a side that are keen to progress further.
Chris Sutton predicts Everton changes v Bournemouth
Discussing his predictions on BBC Sport (6 February), Sutton admitted: “I can see Everton making a few changes here, because they play Liverpool in the rearranged Merseyside derby on Wednesday.
“After three straight wins, Everton manager David Moyes will still want a good performance to keep the momentum going, but I am going to stick with my policy of backing Bournemouth.
“The Cherries have already beaten Everton twice this season – firstly with that incredible finish to their game in August, when they came back from being 2-0 down after 87 minutes to win 3-2, and then at the start of January when they won 1-0 in Sean Dyche’s last game as Toffees boss.
“I would love Andoni Iraola to go strong in the FA Cup this season and go all out to win it – the possibility is there, even with their current injury problems.
“On that basis, I am going for them to get the better of Everton again, and make it a hat-trick of wins over them. Prediction: 0-2.”
FA Cup ‘distraction’ could be over for Everton
As Sutton says, Moyes will be keen for his side to continue building upon their winning momentum, as this can only help his side continue to progress throughout the campaign in their quest for Premier League survival.
However, with that in mind, it would also make sense to shift focus on to their league campaign this term and the Scotsman may well see this as a distraction from their real aims this season.
With a massive game against Liverpool lying ahead too, you can imagine that many supporters would see that as the more important game out of the two.
Bournemouth may well fancy their chances in the FA Cup this season too, given how good their form has been and it could certainly be something they feel like they could reward their supporters with.
Even if Moyes does change his side for this tie, you can imagine the boss won’t allow his side to roll over and the expectation will be to give everything on home soil.