WE ARE only seven games into the season, but that has not stopped some from billing Cherries’ trip to Everton this weekend as a ‘six-pointer’.

Cherries have taken three points from their opening seven games, with that total stemming from three draws, meaning they search for a first league win under Andoni Iraola at Goodison Park.

Whilst the Toffees were victorious away at Brentford, they have already lost four times at home this campaign.

It has been a tough run of fixtures to open the season for Iraola and Cherries, perhaps heightening the pressure of picking up a win on Merseyside.

We have taken a go at predicting the team Iraola will start on Saturday in what could be a crucial clash for both clubs.

Goalkeeper

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There have been a few questions asked of goalkeeper Neto in recent weeks, with a few suspect-looking goals conceded.

The most recent debate centred around Arsenal’s opener at the weekend, but it feels harsh to blame the Brazilian.

Gabriel Jesus’ header at the back post seemed to be aimed towards the unmarked Bukayo Saka awaiting in the middle of the six-yard box, but instead it went goalwards and clanged off the post, leaving Neto scrambling to recover.

Saka was still untroubled as he nodded home, but Neto was criticised for being out of position.

There has been no hint of frustration from Neto’s head coach, suggesting that he will remain in between the sticks.

Defence and midfield

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It will likely have to be a similar looking backline again for Cherries, with Lloyd Kelly and Chris Mepham still sidelined with issues. The pair are expected back after the international break.

Mepham’s inclusion in Wales’ squad for the upcoming internationals hints that he is closing in on a return, but for now it seems Cherries’ centre-back pairing will remain the duo of Illia Zabarnyi and Marcos Senesi.

Milos Kerkez started and almost played all 270 minutes of Cherries’ three fixtures in seven days, but came through the gauntlet of fixtures unscathed.

Adam Smith is back in contention but Max Aarons appears to be preferred at right back.

Again, injuries in midfield means it will likely be a familiar-looking side for the trip to Goodison.

A setback for Tyler Adams means that Lewis Cook will likely start at number six, with Ryan Christie and Philip Billing first names on the teamsheet under Iraola.

In Friday’s press conference, the Basque hinted that both Christie and Billing were better suited to playing as number 10s, but one will have to sit alongside Cook at the base of midfield.

Attackers

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Cherries have not had much joy on the wings so far this campaign, with a plethora of options out wide leading to Iraola chopping and changing from week to week.

Marcus Tavernier has started the last three Premier League fixtures, slowly returning to full match fitness after a knee issue that limited his involvement in pre-season.

The former Middlesbrough man is yet to hit the same heights of his injury-hit debut Premier League season, but Tavernier has arguably looked the most dangerous of Iraola’s wide options.

Dango Ouattara, himself returning from injury in recent weeks, has made a habit of popping up in the right areas in his appearances but without producing much of note.

Justin Kluivert’s cameo off the bench against Chelsea earned a start against Brighton the following weekend, before starting again in the 4-0 defeat to Arsenal.

However the Dutchman had little joy against the Gunners.

Deadline day signing Luis Sinisterra is still getting to grips with the system and physical demands of Iraola’s style of play, so a first start maybe beyond him at this stage.

Antoine Semenyo has seen gametime limited after a promising beginning to his first full season as a Cherry, whilst David Brooks has had to watch on from the sidelines.

Whilst Iraola frequently refreshes the wings after an hour of action, it would not be a surprise to see changes out wide in the starting XI for Everton.

We’re predicting that it will be Brooks that will partner Tavernier out wide, but the wings are very much the hardest part of Iraola’s side to guess correctly.

Dominic Solanke shrugged off an ankle complaint to play the full 90 minutes against Arsenal, and there is no suggestion that he will miss the Everton game.

PREDICTED XI: Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie, Billing; Brooks, Tavernier, Solanke.