If this was April and not September sweat would be dripping off your brow in anticipation of a nail biting relegation six pointer.
Everton and Bournemouth, currently sitting 18th and 19th respectively, won’t be pressing the panic button just yet.
It’s been a nightmare league start for both clubs with Eddie Howe and Ronald Koeman being nowhere near where they want to be.
But with two wins on the bounce for the visitors – both against south coast rivals Brighton – confidence will be a lot higher in the Cherries’ camp.
The Blues will hope midweek’s 3-0 cup victory over Championship strugglers Sunderland will be the start of better things to come.
Bournemouth have proved tricky customers at their Vitality Stadium, but it’s a whole different story at Goodison.
Howe’s men have suffered 2-0 and 6-3 defeats on their visits since joining the Premier League.
Ones to watch –
Norwegian Josh King finished Bournemouth’s top scorer last campaign, coming up with a more than impressive 16 goals, including two in that 6-3 game.
He has pace and ability to finish and will be a big danger if he’s selected on Saturday.
Someone who’ll be rivalling King for the main striker spot will be a man who’s no stranger to putting the ball in Everton’s net. Jermain Defoe.
36 – Jermain Defoe has now scored against 36 of the 39 opponents he has faced in the Premier League. Collection. pic.twitter.com/5Xpm3C5CQn
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 15, 2017
A seasoned pro, he’s a man who seems like he has been around forever. Still going strong at 34, the Englishman is one goal off 200 league career goals. And after this from me at half time at Old Trafford last weekend…
Who wants an unpopular opinion that'll inevitably haunt me in the second half? Go on then.
Ashley Williams has been our best player here.
— Tom Ferguson (@TomFerguson) September 17, 2017
Why not continue the jinx?
So to the boys in blue.
Let’s not overreact to Wednesday night’s win, but it would’ve done a hell of a lot for confidence.
Having gone four games without putting the ball in the net there were three very competent finishes.
There’s no more injury worries but Koeman is likely to shake things up again.
Oumar Niasse, fresh from his goalscoring return for the Blues, is in contention for another go. But the main man has to be two goal hero Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
After a torrid run Koeman will be looking to get the Blues’ season up and running and rise up the table.
And it is time to make Goodison Park a fortress once more.
Come on, you Blues.