Prediction: Bournemouth vs Everton

Verdict: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Bet365

After enjoying a stellar start to the new campaign, Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth side will look to make it three wins on the bounce when they welcome Premier League big spenders Everton to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Bournemouth

For Saturday’s hosts, after breaking the bank this summer and bringing in Columbian international Jefferson Lerma there is a real feeling of optimism around the Vitality Stadium. Picking up an eye-catching 5-2 win at home to Marseille in their final pre-season match, Bournemouth have now won their two opening Premier League matches. Beating Cardiff 2-0 and then fighting back from a goal behind at half-time to leave the Olympic Stadium with all three points, The Cherries are looking to improve on an impressive ninth-place finish. One man to watch for the hosts is 26-year-old striker Callum Wilson. Finishing last year as the joining top scorer in the division, Wilson now has two in his opening two outings.

Team News

Bournemouth’s record signing Jefferson Lerma may be included after proving his fitness for their under-21 side in midweek.

Kyle Taylor and Junior Stanislas are still injured and Diego Rico is banned.

Everton

As for Everton, while they may have endured a difficult pre-season, Marco Silva’s side brought in Barcelona trio Andre Gomes, Lucas Digne and Yerry Mina on deadline day and many believe the Toffees could make a play for European football. A side that is still certainly taking shape, while The Blues may have picked up just a point against newly promoted Wolves in their opener, Everton impressed in their 2-1 win over Southampton last weekend. One man who is really boosting the mood around Goodison Park is another of Silva’s summer arrivals in former Watford man Richarlison. Following his old boss in a deal worth up to £50million, the 21-year-old has already scored three in his two opening games. While they have impressed in the final third, there are still some defensive issues for the hosts, in fact, Everton have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven.

Team News

Everton boss Marco Silva says new signings Andre Gomes and Yerry Mina will not be fit until mid-September.

Morgan Schneiderlin misses out with a muscle problem and Phil Jagielka is still banned, but Lucas Digne and Bernard could feature.

Key Factors to Consider

On paper, it has the potential to be a game that produces chances at both ends. While the sides have only managed to keep two clean sheets in their last 17 matches in all competitions, both have been in fine form in the final third. With both sides averaging two goals in each of their openings games, both Everton and Bournemouth have two men really in form in Callum Wilson and Richarlison. Backing both teams to score and over 2.5 goals seems to be the safest bet here.

Verdict: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Bet365