Predicted AFC Bournemouth XI for Premier League game against Everton

After a 17-day gap in fixtures Cherries are back for their final 10 games of the campaign, starting with the visit of the Toffees to Vitality Stadium this afternoon.

Head coach Andoni Iraola appears to have a healthy amount of players to choose from, making this week’s Predicted XI that much harder to settle upon.

Let us know in the comments who you think should start from the off against Everton!

Goalkeeper and defence

Cherries appear to be finally over their injury woes – touching wood!

Issues have plagued different sections of the team at different times, with defenders most recently impacted after a host of injuries impeded Iraola’s midfield options.

Max Aarons is definitely back, which is a boost, whilst Lloyd Kelly could also make a return.

Annoyingly, after returning to a full compliment of right-backs, it is the left-back position where there are the most question marks.

Kelly is on the cusp of contention, whilst Cherries are waiting over the availability of Milos Kerkez.

The Hungarian missed his country’s last friendly of the international window out of an abundance of caution over a calf issue.

National team boss Marco Rossi implied that the left-back would have played if it was a competitive game, indicating that it is not so serious.

• 'I wouldn't say he cannot play ' - Iraola waiting for update on Kerkez availability

• TEAM NEWS: Aarons back for Cherries' Everton clash but calls to be made over internationals

Iraola would not confirm either way, but did not rule out Kerkez’s inclusion.

One player that has been ruled out is Marcos Senesi, the centre-back having not recovered from a hamstring strain.

As such, with options, it feels difficult to nail down this afternoon’s back four.

Chris Mepham and Illia Zabarnyi have served as the partnership in the middle since Senesi’s early substitution against Burnley, but if Kelly is fit enough to play, would the temptation at a left-footer be too much for Iraola?

Or Mepham and Zabarnyi could be left untouched, with Kelly slotting in at left-back over Kerkez.

Adam Smith has proven that he is more than serviceable at right-back during Aarons’ absence, and it would feel harsh to drop him at the first opportunity.

Both Smith and Aarons have moonlighted on the left before, if both Kerkez and Kelly are still not fit enough – and do not forget wildcard option Dango Ouattara.

Having to stick our necks on the line, we’re assuming that Aarons will return, with Kerkez starting on the other flank.

Presuming that Kelly will not be risked, we are opting for Zabarnyi and Mepham in the middle. Captain Neto has been cemented as Iraola’s first choice goalkeeper this term.

Midfield

In midfield Iraola has another headache.

Tyler Adams is back in contention, and has put minutes in the tank whilst on international duty with the United States last week.

• 'I will take one of those!' - Iraola to encourage Adams' longshots after wondergoal

Perhaps the decision whether to drop one of Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie in the middle of the park can be delayed until Adams is ready for a full 90 minutes, but Iraola will appreciate he now has options.

Alex Scott looked good in an England shirt during the international break, the former Bristol City man supplying assists for the under-21s.

However, we’re predicting that Justin Kluivert will start as the number 10.

Wingers and forward

The above prediction that Kluivert will start centrally is somewhat bold considering that Cherries are lacking options out wide.

Luis Sinisterra is another player suffering a hamstring strain and will be out for at least a month.

Ouattara is an option, of course, but Iraola has frequently turned to the trio of Marcus Tavernier, Antoine Semenyo, and Sinisterra to fill his two wing spots.

As such, we’re plumping for Semenyo and Tavernier on either flank.

Up top, Dominic Solanke has had plenty of chance during the international break to rest and recover from a persistent knee issue.

Iraola stated in his press conference that the striker is “100 per cent” fit, so there is no reason to look elsewhere to lead the line.

Predicted XI: Neto; Aarons, Zabaryni, Mepham, Kerkez; Cook, Christie, Kluivert; Semenyo, Tavernier, Solanke.