Only three teams in the league have a better defensive record than David Moyes’s side in Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa, with Everton level with Chelsea in having the fourth-best record of 28 goals conceded.
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They kept a clean sheet when they visited the Vitality Stadium at the start of December, beating Iraola’s team 1-0 thanks to a Jack Grealish strike 12 minutes from time.
It was among the most ineffective the Cherries attack has been all season, as Everton limited Iraola’s side to only five shots and two on target despite having close to 55 per cent possession.
The boss has often said his team are a ‘volume’ side in that they create a lot of chances.
Alex Jimenez. (Image: Richard Crease)
They have been among the most free scoring in the Premier League this term, with 41 goals scored, with only four sides having scored more.
But Iraola is expecting a tough test going forward on Tuesday night at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and said they’ll have to improve from what was the Cherries’ worst home performance of the season.
“I think they are defensively one of the best teams from the last seasons,” Iraola told the Daily Echo.
“Even seasons where they've been struggling a little bit and almost fighting to avoid relegation, and they were not conceding goals because they have this consistency: Pickford, Tarkowski, O'Brien, Keane, Branthwaite, they’ve all been there for a lot of time and they've all been very solid every season.
Alex Jimenez. (Image: Richard Crease)
“And it's not easy to create chances against them, because they are physical, they are good defenders, they do the basics very well, they block shots, they defend set plays very well, they are consistent.
“So I don't expect to have a lot of chances playing against them.
“I think our game at home, probably it has been our worst performance at home this season, and I hope we are much better than we were that day. It's true that that day we had some important players out.
“I remember Marcos [Senesi] was out, Brooksy [David Brooks] was out because of yellow cards, and I hope we can perform better. Otherwise it's going to be very, very difficult because they are very good.”
Amine Adli (Image: Richard Crease)
Iraola also praised opposite number Moyes: “David Moyes is, I’ve always said it, he's a great, great manager. You don't stay in the Premier League as many years as he has had not being an elite manager, and he's shown it again this season.
“They are also in a very good run of results away, at home. I think they are doing very well, and it's going to be challenging.”
AFC Bournemouth visit Everton on Tuesday, February 10, kick off at 7.30pm.