Hello everyone! Another weekend of Premier League fixtures are here, and points are becoming that much more important as we edge towards the hectic festive schedule. There are six games in total in the top flight today, but right here, we are focusing on the contest between Bournemouth and Everton on the South Coast.

So, how do these two teams stand at the moment? Bournemouth are currently in the three relegation spots after picking up just nine points from 13 games. They have not won since beating Sunderland 2-0 on September 19.

It is a different story for Everton, though, as they are just six points off a Champions League spot following two wins and a draw. They have definitely had their shooting boots on of late as they have scored 11 goals in their last three games. As both Everton and Bournemouth like to play open, attacking football, we could be in store for a goalfest! Before we delve any deeper, let's bring you the starting lineups from both sides. We'll begin with the hosts...

BOURNEMOUTH XI: Federici; Francis, Distin, Cook, Daniels; Stanislas, Surman, Arter, Gosling, Ritchie; King
Subs: Allsop, Smith, MacDonald, Kermorgant, Murray, O'Kane, Cargill

Eddie Howe has named an unchanged side to the team that secured a 2-2 draw against Swansea City last weekend. Goalkeeper Artur Boruc, Mark Pugh and Lee Tomlin were all doubts for the game, and unfortunately for the trio, they have not been passed fit for today's encounter.

Adam Federici remains in goal, while Simon Francis, Steve Cook, Charlie Daniels and Sylvain Distin, who spent six years at Everton before joining the Cherries in the summer, form the back four. In midfield, Junio Stanislas, Andrew Surman, Harry Arter, Dan Gosling and Matt Ritchie keep their players, while Joshua King will push up front.

Now let's look at who will line up for the visitors...

EVERTON XI: Howard; Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Galloway; McCarthy, Barry; Deulofeu, Barkley, Kone; Lukaku
Subs: Joel, Gibson, Osman, Cleverley, Mirallas, Lennon, Naismith

The main news for Everton is that Leighton Baines is not in the squad at all for this afternoon's match, despite manager Roberto Martinez recently claiming that the left-back is physically fit to play following six months out with ankle problems. It appears as though Martinez is prepared to stay patient with Baines, and considering how well his team have been playing, you can't blame him for not wanting to change things!

So, the team that outplayed Aston Villa to earn a 4-0 victory last weekend is the same that will face Bournemouth today. As expected, Tim Howard sits in goal, with Seamus Coleman and Brendan Galloway occupying the full-back positions. John Stones and Ramiro Funes Mori will form a centre-back partnership as Phil Jagielka remains out injured.

James McCarthy and Gareth Barry will hold the midfield, while Gerard Deulofeu, Ross Barkley and Arouna Kone provide attacking support to striker Romelu Lukaku, who will hope to extend his goal tally this afternoon.

As we're at the Vitality Stadium, let's begin dissecting Bournemouth and their campaign so far. Eddie Howe's side entered the Premier League with big hype around them as they reached promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history, six years after they were close to going out of business. While some teams may have been looked at as lucky to reach the feat, the Cherries caught the eye with their attacking, free-flowing football, which many thought would cause problems for other teams in the Premier League.

Bournemouth had a stunning season in the Championship, but they were always going to be the underdogs in the top flight due to the quality opposition that they would be facing. They started the season well by taking four points from their first four games and were unlucky not to beat Liverpool at Anfield in their second match of the season. The Cherries had a goal wrongfully ruled out and Christian Benteke's strike for Liverpool should have been disallowed as the move was offside when he scored.

The team's performances on the pitch have been largely entertaining and, in truth, they should have more points on the board, but luck has not gone their way so far this season. Howe's tactics bring a breath of fresh air and his open style of play allows his players freedom to roam, but as the results are not going their way, is it time to rethink his approach?

The main objective for Bournemouth this season is to avoid relegation back to the Championship, but they are not going to do that if they keep conceding in the manner that they do. In fairness to them, they have been without their captain Tommy Elphick for a number of weeks as the defender has been struggling with an injury, but they desperately need to tighten up at the back.

They have had 27 goals shipped past them and have kept just one clean sheet in the Premier League so far. Fifteen goals have been scored against them in their last five fixtures in the top flight, which is a sign that something needs to change. Scoring goals wins matches, but a team needs to balance that with a strong defence.

Howe has repeatedly said that he will not change the team's style. As recent as last week, the 37-year-old said that it would not be beneficial.

"We are not going to change our ideals and our way of working and our way of playing for various reasons," the Daily Mail quotes Howe as saying. "For one, we have players who are very good technically, and that have been used to working for three years with me and to suddenly wake up one day and say we are going to change things totally wouldn't be beneficial.

"And also when you're working and telling players to improve and work and to learn one way of playing to suddenly throw that in the bin and learn another way of playing it undoes all the hard work you have done."

It has been an issue all season, but it cannot be ignored that Bournemouth's injury problems have contributed to their poor results. The first blow came when the Cherries' two summer signings Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings suffered long-term injuries. Gradel was handed a six-month layoff in September, while Mings was ruled out for the rest of the season with cruciate ligament injuries. The bad news kept on coming as just a few weeks later Callum Wilson, who was on a decent run having scored five goals, was struck down with a knee injury, which also resulted in a lengthy layoff. Add Elphick's injury into the mix, and it has been a torrid time for the South-Coast side.

The January transfer window will be interesting for Bournemouth as they will probably need to spend to add more depth to their squad because of the long injury list. The Cherries are a relatively small club, but they are owned by rich Russian businessman Maxim Demin. Added to that, the club have just received fresh investment from two American businessmen, who now own a 25% stake in the Premier League club. With regards to Bournemouth's spending, watch this space...

For now, the priority is survival, and with games against Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal coming up in their next six league games, points may be hard to come by. Howe will be hoping that they can begin that run on the frontfoot with a result this afternoon.

Ahead of this weekend's game, Howe told reporters: "I was very pleased with the Swansea performance. We're looking for much of the same, just with the result to match.

"I envisage an open and attractive game for the neutral. We're looking to turn our dominant performances into results."

Don't worry, Everton, we haven't forgotten about you! Last season was a disappointing one for Roberto Martinez's side as they finished the campaign in 11th spot. The low finish was largely down to their difficulty managing Europa League demands with their domestic ones. They have not had that issue this time around, and it appears to be working in their favour. The Merseyside team are currently seventh in the table, six points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal after 13 games. In addition, they are the third best scorers in the Premier League with 24 goals - only Leicester City and Manchester City have scored more.

A big reason behind the goalfest is Romelu Lukaku's form. After scoring twice in last weekend's 4-0 rout over Aston Villa, the Belgian became only the fifth player to reach 50 goals in England while under the age of 23. Overall, Lukaku has scored 11 goals in all competitions this season, and the striker will be hoping to get through the channels this afternoon to add to his tally.

Another player who has impressed in the last few weeks is Gerard Deulofeu. The Spaniard's traditional wing-play has fitted well into Everton's system, but there have been concerns over his long-term future at Goodison Park. The 21-year-old signed a permanent deal with the Toffees from Barcelona in the summer not long after he spent the 2013-14 campaign on loan at Everton. There have been reports that Barca will trigger a buy-back clause in the summer, but Deulofeu has pledged his future to the Toffees.

He told the club's official website: "I am so happy to be staying here a long time. When I stayed here the first time, I love Everton and now I've come back. I hope to stay here for a lot of years."

It is fair to suggest that the race for the top four is more open this season due to Chelsea's plummet from the top echelons of the table. Given how Everton have been performing (taking 20 points from a possible 39), the team could be given an outside chance of sealing a Champions League spot. Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are the main contenders for fourth, but given that those two sides are currently competing in the Europa League, Everton may be able to swoop in...

Everton have lost just three games this season, and the defeats came against Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal, who are all currently in the top four of the standings. The Merseyside outfit definitely head into this fixture against Bournemouth as favourites to get a result.

Prior to the game, Martinez told reporters: "We have arguably the strongest squad we have had for a long time in terms of numbers and players in good moments of form.

"The understanding and tempo we have in possession comes from the tempo in training. That comes from the competition we have for places and everyone pushing themselves to the maximum to get into the starting lineup."

PREDICTION: We're not far from kickoff now, so it's time for a prediction! These two sides have a similar attacking philosophy, which could provide an entertaining fixture with a few goals to boot. Bournemouth have the home crowd behind them and having a relatively low-capacity ground will be an advantage as the noise will be intensified. Everton are experienced, though, and they are flying following last weekend's convincing win over Villa. The Merseyside outfit are likely to come out on top, but there could be a number of goals in this one - let's go for a 3-2 win for Everton.

Our reporters Barney Corkhill and Pascal Lemesre at Sports Mole HQ have also given their thoughts on the fixture. See what they have to say in the video below:

The teams are lining up in the tunnel and will be emerging onto the pitch shortly. It's a drizzly afternoon in the South Coast!

KICKOFF! Everton get us underway in blue, kicking left to right. Bournemouth are wearing their traditional red and black stripes.

Everton have an early opportunity on the counter attack, but Cook manages to cut out Deulofeu's forward pass into the box. Bournemouth had their heart in their mouths when Arter lost the ball in a dangerous area, where Lukaku was placed to pounce, but the Cherries were able to recover.

We can see from these very early stages that this is going to be an open game, with plenty of attacking opportunities. Let's see who can strike first!

CHANCE! Stanislas does well to get the ball to the edge of the box. He cuts inside and then knocks it across to Gosling, who goes for a half-volley, but his attempt bounces first, which disrupts the pace of the ball, and it just bobbles wide of the post.

We're five minutes in and it's Bournemouth who look the more threatening of the sides. They've shown intensity and are pressing their opponents. So far, Everton are handling it but they need to get some passes together to get themselves into this game.

Kone nicks the ball in Bournemouth's own half and drives forward, knocking it left to Galloway, who searches for Lukaku with a low forward pass, but he overhits it and the home side regain possession.

CHANCE! It's Bournemouth again and this time Ritchie gets a sniff at goal. Gosling lets the ball run with the knowledge that Ritchie is behind him. The wide player unleashes a shot, but it goes straight into the hands of Howard.

Now it's Everton's turn to attack. They're on the counter with Deulofeu, who cuts inside before trying to set up Barkley, but Surman defends well and halts the move.

It's a windy day so long balls are not going to plan! Stones goes for one from the back, but it goes out of play. Perhaps try a different approach, John...

Lovely control from Stanislas! He takes the ball down well following a long-range pass from Ritchie. He tries to play Daniels in, but Coleman gets there first.

SAVE! Howard has been the busier goalkeeper in these early stages of the game. King finds some space centrally outside of the box and launches a shot, which the Everton keeper manages to palm away.

Gosling loses the ball and Deulofeu pounces. The Spaniard surges down the left towards the byline with Daniels tracking him, and the ball is knocked out for a corner. Barry swings the ball into the box, but it comes to nothing as Federici punches away. Unfortunately for Bournemouth, though, both Federici and Cook have gone down and are receiving treatment.

Cook has gotten to his feet, but Federici looks in trouble after he landed awkwardly on his ankle. The Cherries are already suffering with major injuries, let's hope it's not too bad for the goalkeeper!

Federici gives the okay to continue, but considering that his ankle buckled when he landed, it won't be a huge surprise if he comes off at some point. Play resumes for now!

Everton will try to test Federici's movement as quickly as possible! They're on the ball, but Bournemouth are doing well to close them down and push them back. King tries to nick the ball off Barry - he manages to do so, but he fouls the midfielder in the process and gets penalised for doing so.

Deulofeu tries to take on Daniels as he drives towards the byline again. It's another corner and it's taken short before the ball is swung in for Kone, but Bournemouth do well to clear the danger.

SAVE! Federici is needed to save Bournemouth after some poor defending from his teammates. Deulofeu swings the ball into the box and as it bounces, Francis tries to head clear, but it's a poor effort as the ball bounces and into the path of Kone, who unleashes a shot, which is saved by Federici at the near post.

SAVE! Federici is the hero again! The ball is swung into the box to find Lukaku, who headers from close range, but the goalkeeper punches it clear.

It was coming! In the last few minutes, Everton have unleashed an onslaught of attacks on Bournemouth's goal. The pressure pays off as the visitors score from a corner. The ball comes into the box from Barkley and it's poor defending from the home side as Funes Mori doesn't even need to get up high to head the ball into the top right corner of the net.

The home side are continuing to cheer on their side, but the Everton travelling support are chanting a bit louder now! It was a fast start for Bournemouth, but they looked to be in a panic for five minutes or so when Everton were throwing waves of attack on their goal. Let's see if the Cherries can respond.

Bournemouth get their first corner of the game. Francis takes it short for Ritchie, who sends a reverse heel back to him, but McCarthy tracks it back for another corner. The second attempt is easily cleared by the visitors.

Deulofeu switches to the left-hand side, but he takes too long to send in the cross as he tries to get the ball on his left foot and Francis manages to nick it back.

Lukaku scores his 10th Premier League goal of the season! Everton are flying at the moment, but it's despair for Bournemouth. Deulofeu plays a part in the goal as he sends it forward for Lukaku, who manages to muscle out Cook and send the ball past Federici and into the back of the net with a right-footed shot from the box. It was poor defending from Bournemouth's centre-backs as they were on the wrong side to stop Lukaku.

OFF THE LINE! Everton suffer their first nervy moment of the match as the ball is knocked into the box. Howard comes out to punch clear but he misses it completely and Cook gets a slight touch on the ball as he directs a header towards goal, but Stones hooks off the line. Very close!

Bournemouth get a free kick after McCarthy commits a foul in the middle of the pitch. The ball is flung in and eventually falls to Arter, who goes for goal, but he scuffs his shot and the ball goes soaring into the stands. That just about sums up Bournemouth's luck in this half.

Howe has said many times that he will not change Bournemouth's style of play, but being so open has caused them problems again this afternoon. Everton look dangerous every time that they are on the attack. The Cherries need to tighten up at the back, and quickly!

Everton are knocking the ball about comfortably and are in no rush to add to their tally as the fourth official indicates three minutes of added time. Howe will be desperate to get his players back in the dressing room at the half-time whistle.

So, Everton have headed into the break the much happier side as they have a 2-0 lead over Bournemouth after 45 minutes of play at the Vitality Stadium. It was the home side that looked sharper in the first five minutes or so. They showed intensity and desire to get on the ball and tried to close their opponents down when off the ball at every opportunity. Everton took some time, but they got into their stride and once they began to pose their attacking threat, Bournemouth were unable to handle them and made a list of defensive errors.

Ramiro Funes Mori opened the scoring for the Toffees and while the ball whipped in from Barkley was perfect, the defending from Bournemouth was poor as the Everton player didn't even need to leap very high to direct his header. The second goal was once again poor defending as it was too easy for Romelu Lukaku to shake off Cook, and Distin was nowhere near the action to help out.

Bournemouth can have no complaints, though, as they have been punished for their lack of strength at the back once again. Deulofeu and Lukaku looked threatening every time they were on the break, and the only danger for Everton as a whole came when Howard misjudged the flight of the ball when it was whipped into his area and Stones was required to clear Cook's header off the line.

Bournemouth have looked dangerous going forward, with Stanislas and King linking up well in the final third, but that clinical touch has been missing. The home side could nick a goal, but Everton have shown their Premier League experience and look comfortable at the moment. It seems as though Bournemouth have suffered another injury blow as goalkeeper Federici landed awkwardly when defending a corner. The shot-stopper played on after hurting his ankle but he ended the half still in discomfort, so there's a chance he may not return for the second half.

While we wait for the second half to commence, let's have a look at the other half-time scores in the Premier League from up and down the country.

Aston Villa 1-1 Watford
Crystal Palace 3-1 Newcastle
Manchester City 2-0 Southampton
Sunderland 0-0 Stoke

Leicester City will host Manchester United at the King Power Stadium in the late 5.30pm kickoff.

RESTART! Bournemouth gets us underway, and the home side have made two changes. As expected, Federici has been hauled off, replaced by Allsop, who is making his first Premier League appearance. Smith has come on for Cook in the defence.

Bournemouth get some possession and receive the backing of the crowd as they roar their team to move forward. They knock the ball across the back before Daniels tries to play it out wide to Stansilas, but he overhits it and the ball goes out of play.

CHANCE! Gosling has some joy as he passes the ball forward to play in King, who charges into the middle of the box, but Howard comes off his line and does enough to smother the ball. Seconds later, King is involved again as he moves to the left corner of the box and unleashes a low drive, which gets blocked.

CHANCE! It's end to end again! McCarthy finds space on the right and sends the ball forward searching for Lukaku, but Francis is there to cut out the pass. Bournemouth are leaving themselves vulnerable at the back when they move forward.

It's a bit scrappy in the middle of the park at the moment. Bournemouth have had decent possession, but they're struggling to hold onto it. Every time a ball is loose, an Everton player latches onto it.

Some nice pressure from the home side as Daniels wraps his foot around the ball to whip in a cross into the box. Gosling gets a head to it, but he sends it bouncing into the ground and Howard collects with ease.

The home fans are shouting "you don't know what you're doing!" to referee Kevin Friend following a contentious moment. Smith charges up the field from right-back and has Galloway to get past. They both drive to the byline - Galloway goes to ground and Smith breaks free towards goal, but the referee blows his whistle for a foul, despite the linesman not flagging. Replays show that Smith may have just clipped the Everton full-back.

SAVE! Bournemouth work the ball around the box and it eventually falls to Daniels out wide, who thumps a low shot towards Howard's near post but the keeper stops well to keep the ball out of his net. The home side have started this half with intent.

CHANCE! Just as I say that, Everton come close to extending their lead! Coleman whips the ball into the box looking for Lukaku. The Belgian shoots his leg out for the volley as he only has the keeper to beat, but he fails to connect with the ball and the opportunity goes missing.

CHANCE! Now it's Bournemouth's turn! Stanislas cuts into from the left before trying to curl the ball into the net, but McCarthy deflects it out for a corner, which comes to nothing for the hosts.

McCarthy is receiving some treatment after going down in the box while trying to defend the corner. He looks okay to continue, though.

It's a nice spell for Bournemouth as they are managing to find some room and knock the ball across the edge of the box, searching for a breakthrough. Some good movement from the hosts as Smith gets to the byline and hits it back across an open goal, but nobody is there for the tap-in.

Barkley, who has had a relatively quiet game this afternoon, tries to work his way through the Bournemouth defence, but the ball is nicked back by the home side.

EVERTON SUB: McCarthy seems to be struggling, so he comes off and is replaced by Cleverley.

SAVE! More frustration for Bournemouth as Ritchie tries a shot at goal. He manages to find space in the area to collect the ball before unleashing a thumping curling shot with his left foot, but the strike goes straight at Howard.

The home side have had the majority of possession in these last few minutes and Everton seem content to attack on the break. Bournemouth's final touch has let them down so far. They're awarded a corner, which Ritchie takes, but he wastes the opportunity by swinging the ball into the side netting.

Surely not more injuries for Bournemouth?! Arter, who has spent the majority of this season on the sidelines, is on the floor clutching his hamstring. He gets to his feet but he's limping and will be substituted shortly.

BOURNEMOUTH SUB: As expected, Arter leaves the pitch and is replaced by Murray, who is the home side's final change.

King has two Everton players closing him down on the edge of the area, but he makes a decent turn and breaks away before pulling the ball back across goal. Coleman tracks the ball and does well to clear.

Wow, what a strike from Smith! The corner comes in from Ritchie and it's cleared by Everton, but only as far as Smith, who chests the ball down before curling the ball into the back of the net. Game on!

Boos ring around the stadium as Smith is denied a penalty after tussling with Galloway in the box. He cuts across the Everton full-back and there's contact but it's not clear cut. Smith shouts for the penalty but he's up to his feet quickly.

BOOKING! Gosling is the first to be given a yellow card as the referee punishes him for dissent after the penalty was not given.

Bournemouth have a new lease of energy and it's largely down to substitute Smith. Everton took their foot off their gas and they have been punished for it. Can Bournemouth draw level? We have just over five minutes of normal time to find out.

EVERTON SUB: The visitors make their second change of the game as Lennon replaces Deulofeu.

They've only gone and done it! Murray takes a quick free kick, which allows King to run at Galloway. The attacker does well as he cuts it back into the box to find Stanislas, who thumps it home. What an effort from Bournemouth to come from two goals down! Can they go on and win it?!

It's hugely disappointing from Everton's point of view as they have just not turned up for this second half. They were sitting on their two-goal lead thinking that would be enough for them. but Bournemouth have shown fighting spirit to get back into the game.

The fourth official has indicated five minutes of added time, so there is plenty of time for a winner!

CHANCE! Bournemouth so close to finding the winning goal! The fans are on their feet as their team win a corner. Ritchie whips it in to find the head of Daniels, who directs the ball towards goal, but it just glides over the crossbar.

It's been all Bournemouth, but Everton get a rare spell of possession. Lukaku cuts inside and sends a reverse ball to Kone, but the home side manage to clear.

Heartbreak for Bournemouth!! Ross Barkley looks to have given the Merseyside outfit all three points! Kone slipped the ball into the middle of the box and Bournemouth's players try to scramble it away, but it falls to Barkley's feet and he just nudges it into the goal.

In the aftermath of the goal, the Everton fans have spilled onto the pitch to celebrate with the players, but the stewards manage to sort it out.

Oh my!!! Bournemouth are back in it! They have levelled once again through Stanislas. Minutes after suffering a sickening blow, the home side manage to respond as Daniels whips the ball into the box to find Stanislas, whose header hits the back of the net.

And breathe... What a game of football! Bournemouth managed to nick a point at the death! Ramiro Funes Mori and Romelu Lukaku looked to have sewn up the game in the first half for Everton as they looked completely in control. However, Bournemouth looked revitalised in the second half as the introduction of substitute Adam Smith gave the team an added attacking presence. The right-back pulled a goal back for the hosts before Junior Stanislas levelled up.

Against the run of play, Everton appeared to have found the winner when Ross Barkley nudged the ball home inside the five minutes of added time, and despite the cruel blow, Bournemouth showed that they don't know when to be beaten as Stanislas headed into the back of the net to finish the game 3-3! Time for a lie down...

That's all from us, but stick around on Sports Mole for the latest reaction, analysis and player ratings. Until next time, goodbye!