This Everton team is not a ton of fun to watch right now. “Big Sam mode” has fully been engaged. But guess what? It’s working out just fine! The boys in Blue have become a pain in the ass to play against and have not lost a match since November 26th, the 4-1 debacle against Southampton that sealed David Unsworth’s fate.

Since then, Everton have played eight matches across the Premier League and Europa League. In those fixtures they have scored 14 times while conceding just twice. That is an impressive record regardless of who your competition is in that time. This team is headed up and ready for January to infuse some additional talent.

Today, the opposition is Bournemouth. Surely you remember the first matchup between these two sides earlier this year, right? It may have been the most exciting fixture of the campaign. Wayne Rooney’s head was cut open. and Everton went down 1-0 in the second half before Oumar Niasse nabbed a brace and saved Ronald Koeman’s job for the time being. A more comfortable result for the Toffees on Saturday would be greatly appreciated.

Match Details

Date and start time: Saturday, December 30th at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m ET / 3 p.m. BST

Stadium: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, England

Capacity: 11,360

Weather: 52°F/11°C, showers, 37% chance of precipitation, 18 mph winds

How to Watch/Listen

TV: none - United States; none - United Kingdom

Radio: Everton Match Centre, TalkSport Radio World

Live stream: NBC Sports Gold

Gamethread: Comments section below starting one hour before game time

Information from LiveSoccerTV.com

Lineups

Everton

Starting XI - Everton XI: Pickford, Kenny, Keane, Jagielka, Martina; McCarthy, Gueye, Schneiderlin; Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin, Lennon

Subs: Robles, Holgate, Williams, Davies, Rooney, Bolasie, Niasse

AFC Bournemouth

Starting XI - Begovic, Francis, Cook, Gosling, Ake, Wilson, Smith, Cook, King, Fraser, Ibe

Subs: Boruc, Simpson, Daniels, Arter, Pugh, Mousset, Afobe