Head-to-Head Summary
Historically, AFC Bournemouth have held a surprising upper hand over Everton in recent top-flight campaigns. Across their modern Premier League meetings, the Cherries have consistently caused problems for Everton both home and away, developing a reputation as a bogey team for the Toffees.
Bournemouth have remained unbeaten in seven of their last eight Premier League matches against Everton, recording significant home victories at the Vitality Stadium alongside away wins on Merseyside. Everton's physical approach has often struggled against Bournemouth's aggressive high pressing and fast transitions, making this a challenging fixture for the visitors.
Last 10 Meetings
A review of recent competitive meetings showcases high goal volume, dramatic comebacks, and a strong trend favoring Bournemouth:
10 Feb 2026 | Premier League | Everton 1-2 AFC Bournemouth
04 Jan 2025 | Premier League | AFC Bournemouth 1-0 Everton
31 Aug 2024 | Premier League | Everton 2-3 AFC Bournemouth
30 Mar 2024 | Premier League | AFC Bournemouth 2-1 Everton
07 Oct 2023 | Premier League | Everton 3-0 AFC Bournemouth
28 May 2023 | Premier League | Everton 1-0 AFC Bournemouth
12 Nov 2022 | Premier League | AFC Bournemouth 3-0 Everton
08 Nov 2022 | Carabao Cup | AFC Bournemouth 4-1 Everton
26 Jul 2020 | Premier League | Everton 1-3 AFC Bournemouth
15 Sep 2019 | Premier League | AFC Bournemouth 3-1 Everton
In their most recent competitive encounter on February 10, 2026, Bournemouth produced a thrilling second-half comeback at Everton. After Iliman Ndiaye gave Everton an early lead from the penalty spot, goals from Rayan and Amine Adli secured a 2-1 victory for the Cherries on the road.
AFC Bournemouth Current Form
Bournemouth enter Matchweek 2 aiming to establish the Vitality Stadium as a formidable venue early in the campaign. Under Andoni Iraola, the Cherries continue to refine their intense, high-octane pressing system, which relies on winning physical duels in the opposition half and launching swift direct counter-attacks.
With forward Evanilson anchoring the central attack alongside wingers Rayan and Amine Adli, Bournemouth possess dynamic mobility in the final third. Maintaining defensive compactness during wide transitions will be Iraola's primary objective against Everton's set-piece-heavy setup.
Everton Current Form
Everton travel to the South Coast looking to refine their execution away from home under David Moyes. The Toffees enter the new season with an emphasis on defensive organization, central compactness, and aerial set-piece efficiency.
With James Tarkowski commanding the backline and Jordan Pickford providing vocal leadership in goal, Everton carry physical presence into every fixture. However, improving their away goal conversion and avoiding mid-game defensive lapses will be essential if they hope to snap their away winless run against the Cherries.
AFC Bournemouth Team News and Injuries
Andoni Iraola possesses a healthy core of senior players available for selection heading into Matchweek 2:
Evanilson & Rayan: Both attacking figures are fully fit and available to lead the front line.
Alex Scott & Ryan Christie: Available to anchor the central midfield engine room.
Đorđe Petrović: Expected to start in goal for the Cherries.
Everton Team News and Injuries
David Moyes travels south with most of his regular starting XI available, though squad rotation remains key:
James Tarkowski & Jarrad Branthwaite: Fully fit to form Everton's central defensive pairing.
Iliman Ndiaye & Thierno Barry: Available to lead the attacking unit.
James Garner & Idrissa Gueye: Expected to occupy starting spots in central midfield.
Tactical Match Analysis
This Matchweek 2 encounter pits Andoni Iraola's aggressive high press against David Moyes' structured, pragmatic mid-block. Bournemouth will look to force turnovers deep in Everton's defensive third, utilizing wide players Rayan and Amine Adli to isolate full-backs and deliver low crosses into Evanilson.
Everton will aim to absorb home pressure, slow down the tempo, and exploit set-piece opportunities where James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite pose aerial threats. Direct long balls to Iliman Ndiaye will serve as Everton's primary transition route. Controlling second balls in central midfield will dictate which team establishes game momentum.
Key Players to Watch
Rayan (AFC Bournemouth): The electric forward scored the equalizing goal against Everton in February 2026 and provides dynamic 1v1 dribbling on the wing.
Evanilson (AFC Bournemouth): The central forward's hold-up play and pressing work rate are essential to initiating Iraola's high-turnover system.
James Tarkowski (Everton): The defensive leader provides crucial aerial dominance and remains a constant threat from dead-ball situations.
Iliman Ndiaye (Everton): Converted a penalty in their last meeting with Bournemouth and serves as Everton's primary creative catalyst in transition.
What the Numbers Tell Us
H2H Unbeaten Run: Bournemouth have won four of the last five Premier League meetings against Everton.
Comeback Capability: Bournemouth came from behind to beat Everton 2-1 in their last head-to-head meeting in February 2026.
Goal History: The last 10 competitive meetings between these two sides have produced 31 total goals (3.1 goals per game).
Who Has the Advantage?
Evaluating recent head-to-head records and home familiarity gives AFC Bournemouth a slight statistical edge heading into Matchweek 2. The Cherries have consistently found ways to unlock Everton's defense in recent seasons, winning four of their last five meetings across all competitions.
While Everton possess the set-piece aerial advantage and physical mid-block structure to frustrate the hosts, Bournemouth's relentless pressing energy at the Vitality Stadium gives them the upper hand. A narrow Bournemouth victory or a hard-fought draw represents the most realistic outcome.
Conclusion
Matchweek 2 of the 2026/27 Premier League season brings a fast-paced Saturday contest to Dorset as AFC Bournemouth host Everton. The Cherries carry strong recent head-to-head momentum into the fixture, looking to leverage home backing and energetic transition play to claim three points. While David Moyes' Everton have the physical resilience and set-piece tools to threaten, Bournemouth's recent dominance in this matchup makes them favorites to secure a positive result.