Bournemouth and Everton will clash for just the fifth time in their respective histories in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.
The two teams played out a 3-3 draw in the Premier League earlier this season, but their only previous FA Cup clash was back in 1937, when Everton recorded a thumping 5-0 win.
Bournemouth
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Premier League survival is the name of the game for Bournemouth this season, but with a spot in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on offer, there is no question that Eddie Howe will be taking this particular match seriously. A home draw was nice for the Cherries, but facing fellow Premier League opposition is not quite what they would have had in mind.
They did manage to avoid the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United, however, and victory against Everton and a favourable last-eight draw could quickly open up a semi-final spot for Howe's team. That said, Bournemouth have not knocked a top-flight side out of the FA Cup since 1984.
The Cherries will also enter this match off the back of back-to-back defeats in the Premier League. The last of those came at home to Stoke City last weekend, which dropped the club into 15th position. As it stands, Howe's team are four points outside of the relegation places and very much in the battle to escape the drop this term.
Money was made available in the January transfer window, however, and one look at their squad suggests that they should have enough to stave off relegation. They were knocked out of the League Cup by Liverpool last October, but they have beaten Birmingham City and Portsmouth in this competition to make round five.
Bournemouth will also have fond memories of their last clash with Everton, which took place earlier this season. The hosts were trailing 2-0 in the latter stages of the Premier League match, but ultimately secured a point in a 3-3 draw when Junior Stanislas controversially scored in the 98th minute.
Recent form: WLWLWW
Recent form (all competitions): WDWWLL
Everton
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Like Bournemouth, Everton will see their final Premier League position as slightly more important than success in the FA Cup, but the Toffees will still be smarting from their exit in the semi-finals of the League Cup.
They recorded a 2-1 win over Manchester City in the first leg, but lost the return 3-1 as Roberto Martinez's side missed out on a spot in the Wembley final. They are still alive in the FA Cup, however, and with not too much happening with their Premier League position, this is a competition that Martinez will want to win.
It has not quite happened for Everton in the Premier League this season, with a total of 35 points leaving them in 11th position. They are only five points off the top seven, but 12 behind the top four, who they were expected to push this season. It has been an inconsistent campaign, with some excellent performances quickly followed by some disappointing ones.
Victories over Dagenham & Redbridge and Carlisle United have made it a comfortable progression to round five for Everton, however, and they will fancy their chances of recording another FA Cup victory over Bournemouth. Indeed, their last meeting in the cup was back in January 1937 and the Toffees were five-goal winners.
Everton will enter the match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion in the league last weekend, but they have won three of their last four matches in all competitions and only conceded once.
The Merseyside outfit also know what it takes to win the FA Cup, having lifted the famous trophy on five occasions. They famously beat Manchester United 1-0 in the 1994-95 final and were also the runners-up in the 2008-09 season, when they were beaten by Chelsea in the final.
Recent form: WLDLWW
Recent form (all competitions): LLWWWL
Team News
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Bournemouth boss Howe has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match, but the 38-year-old is expected to shuffle his pack. Matt Ritchie started the Stoke defeat on the bench but should return, while Joshua King and Sylvain Distin will also be hopeful of inclusion.
Juan Iturbe, who joined on loan from Roma in the January transfer window, could also be handed a start after being held back from Premier League football since his arrival at Dean Court.
As for Everton, Joel Robles, who has only conceded once in his last four appearances, is expected to start ahead of Tim Howard between the sticks.
John Stones has also been declared fit to start, but Muhamed Besic is still out with a hamstring problem and January signing Oumar Niasse will have to wait for his debut after undergoing surgery on his wrist.
Martinez could also recall Gerard Deulofeu and Leon Osman to his starting XI, while Leighton Baines should return at left-back for the Toffees.
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Boric; Smith, Francis, Distin, Daniels; Iturbe, Ritchie, Gosling, Stanislas; King, Afobe
Everton possible starting lineup:
Robles; Coleman, Jagielka, Stones, Baines; Barry, McCarthy; Osman, Barkley, Deulofeu; Lukaku
Head To Head
As mentioned, Saturday's match will be just the fifth meeting between the two teams.
Their only previous FA Cup clash was back in 1937, when Everton recorded a 5-0 win, while the Toffees also beat Bournemouth twice in the League Cup during the 1985-86 season.
Of course, the pair also met in the Premier League at Dean Court earlier this season, when the points were shared in a 3-3 draw.
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We say: Bournemouth 1-3 Everton
Much depends on which Everton team turns up, but either way it should be an open and entertaining match. Neither side has exactly been watertight at the back this season, which should translate to goals.
Bournemouth like to dominate possession and force the issue, especially at home, and that could well play into Everton's hands, as it did for long spells of their clash earlier this season. Four goals and a comfortable away win this weekend.
Matt Law
