Expect Bournemouth to line up in their usual 4-2-3-1, with Petrovic in goal, a back four of Smith, Hill, António Silva and Truffert, a double pivot of Cook and Scott, and a front line of Rayan, Kluivert and Tavernier behind Evanilson. That is a shape that can still hurt you even without the injured names. Cook and Scott are second-ball merchants, they will sit in the pockets, screen the back four, and let Kluivert and Tavernier run the half-spaces. The problem? They are missing Christie, their press-trigger, their shithouse-in-chief. Without him, the high press may be less coordinated, less venomous. But Semenyo can lead the line with pure physicality, and Evanilson is a poacher who feeds on scraps.

Everton, under their predicted 4-2-3-1, will likely field Pickford; Rohl, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Armstrong, Hackney; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, George; and a striker — possibly Beto or someone else. That is a midfield that can go toe-to-toe with anyone on paper, but Hackney and Armstrong are young, and Dewsbury-Hall is more of a runner than a controller. The Toffees will try to sit in a low block, soak up pressure, and hit on the break through Ndiaye's pace and George's directness. But here is the trap: Bournemouth's injury crisis means they will likely cede possession, and Everton are not a team that thrives when they have to dominate the ball. They are a counter-attacking side, and if Bournemouth sit deep themselves, this could become a midfield dogfight with few clear chances.