Callum Wilson races through on goal and gets his shot off but Jordan Pickford saves.

The Bournemouth striker's effort was just too close to the England goalkeeper.

Those nine matches have remarkably averaged 4.4 goals a game by the way!

Allardyce, at least, will be glad if that prolific run ends.

Image source, PA

Everton have won seven and drawn one of the last nine meetings between the clubs. Bournemouth won the other 1-0 last season.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

It's overcast here, but relatively mild for late December. On a rather murky day, the brightest things in the stadium are Everton keeper Jordan Pickford's bright fluorescent yellow goalkeeping kit, and his opposite number Asmir Begovic's boots which are of a similar hue.

Sam Allardyce emerges from the visitors' dug-out for the first time as Everton win a free-kick 35 yards out, In contrast to his goalkeeper, Big Sam is in a long, dark coat - and may be concerned at the pace with which Bournemouth have advanced down the flanks in these early stages.

It's becoming quite end to end now. Allardyce may be concerned at how quickly the hosts are getting beyond his midfield and exposing his defence.

The visitors are starting to see more of the ball now but it's Bournemouth who look more composed and dangerous when they have it.

Image source, Reuters

Everton mount their first semi-attack but Idrissa Gueye loses the ball. They haven't clicked on the ball yet.

The Cherries have a free-kick from the edge of the area. Steve Cook steals in at the far post to meet Ryan Fraser's delivery but heads wide.

Lee Probert, our ref today, has got the game underway.

Bournemouth in their red and black striped home strip. Everton too in their royal blue home kit as there's no clash.

The teams are out and we're about to get underway at the Vitality Stadium anytime now.

The usual high fives and back slaps from both sets of players as the mascots are led off the pitch.

John Motson
Match of the Day commentator on BBC Radio 5 live

The only thing that makes me worry about Bournemouth is Eddie Howe has always said he will never change his style of play and all I wonder is if it gets a little bit tight will he compromise his philosophy to get them out of there?

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe: "I will have to make quite a few late calls on a number of players ahead of this one, whether they return for this game, the next game or in two games time I don't think any injury is serious.

"It is frustrating that we've had a lot of injuries at a time when we've had a lot of games. Our injury record has been good until the last few weeks."

Everton manager Sam Allardyce on signing a striker in January: "Players already here, like Sandro (Ramirez), haven't picked up the pace of the Premier League - he hasn't been able to show what he showed in Spain.

"I think Oumar (Niasse), while he has scored, hasn't made a regular place in the Everton side.

"And young (Dominic) Calvert-Lewin is battling away. I think he's got a bright future, but I don't think we can rely on him week in and week out at the moment."

Danny Mills
Ex-England defender on BBC Radio 5 live

I did a lunch with Sam Allardyce not long ago. He is incredibly innovative and he brought many ideas back from the States when he was over there. He saw they had coaches for everything - coaches to tie laces. They had analysts and he brought that back to here and now it is everywhere.

John Motson
Match of the Day commentator at Vitality Stadium

This is a tale of two sides in very different veins of form.

Bournemouth are enduring a barren run under Eddie Howe with their ever-popular manager seemingly under pressure for the first time, both for results and his methods.

They have conceded 11 goals in three league matches, and are winless in eight. A deviation from their adventurous style may be required to steady the ship and stave off fears of relegation.

Sam Allardyce is an advocate of pragmatism and unapologetic for an often defensive approach, but when you are unbeaten in seven games in all competitions, and have kept five clean sheets, your methods are so much more difficult to question.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

It's been a long trip south for the Everton fans - but not for their mascot, young Wilson Hill, who hails from nearby Swanage on the Dorset coast.

When asked by the pitchside presenter why he supports Everton, he replies: "Because my dad had an Everton Easter egg." Not heard that given as a reason before...

Everton

Image source, Getty Images

Sam Allardcye has been talking about his concerns with Everton's attack so far this season.

The Blues manager is reportedly trying to bring Turkey international Cenk Tosun to Goodison in January to bolster their front line.

"They are defending superbly well but in transition they can’t turn the ball into good passing opportunities and get at the opposition and create more chances," he said.

We'll see whether the move for Tosun is successful, but he will have to work with what he's got on the South Coast today.

At least Wayne Rooney is back.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

Cherries chairman Jeff Mostyn's programme notes pay tribute to BBC Match of the Day legend John Motson, for whom this is his final commentary at Bournemouth. "He will be missed by football fans worldwide - we wish him every success for a well-earned retirement," Mostyn writes.

Among Motty's memorable visits here was an FA Cup fifth-round tie in 1989, when Harry Redknapp's Bournemouth held Alex Ferguson's star-studded Manchester United to a 1-1 draw. Both the stadium - redeveloped in 2001 with the pitch turned through 90 degrees - and the club are pretty much unrecognisable from those days.

Image source, Getty Images

James McCarthy's Everton career has been plagued with injuries over the last 18 months.

He makes his first Premier League appearance of the season today, hoping to finally put the succession of hamstring troubles he has suffered behind him for good.

The Republic of Ireland man did feature in the Carabao Cup in October but then faded back into injury malaise.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

For all the talk of "rotation" at this time of year, Bournemouth field an unchanged XI from the 3-3 thriller against West Ham - while Harry Arter and Charlie Daniels are fit enough to return to the bench.

Sam Allardyce, by contrast, makes four changes from Boxing Day's 0-0 draw at West Brom - while a certain Wayne Rooney returns from illness to sit on the substitutes' bench.

Matt Elliott
Former Leicester City captain for BBC Radio 5 live

Sam Allardyce is capable of playing with a bit of enterprise. The team he had at Bolton with Anelka, Okocha, Djorkaeff for example, but his recent jobs have been emergency situations - he has sorted them out. His biggest asset is that players play for him. Players I know have said he gets you on board and he gets you into his way of thinking.Getting players on side is massive.