Bournemouth striker Evanilson could join an exclusive club of Brazilian players in Monday’s Premier League showdown with Fulham at the Vitality Stadium.
The former Porto man struck his eighth and ninth goals of the top-flight campaign in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with West Ham United, and only three Brazilians have ever scored 10 or more goals in their first season of Premier League football.
Robinho (14 for Manchester City in 2008-09), Roberto Firmino (10 for Liverpool in 2015-16) and Matheus Pereira (11 for West Bromwich Albion in 2020-21) are the only Selecao stars to have achieved that feat previously, and Evanilson is guaranteed to lead the line on Monday in search of that milestone strike.
It remains to be seen who will make up Evanilson’s supporting cast, though, as all of Justin Kluivert, Marcus Tavernier and Luis Sinisterra are doubtful with injuries, but the former two have better chances of returning than Sinisterra.
As a result, the impactful Kluivert may be given the green light to take Alex Scott‘s place in the number 10 role, but Antoine Semenyo and Dango Ouattara – who netted an 89th-minute equaliser against Fulham in December – should continue out wide.
Midfield regular Ryan Christie has now undergone surgery on a chronic groin injury, so Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook will form the double pivot; the latter is now back in his more familiar position after a stint at right-back.
The fit-again Adam Smith now dons the captain’s armband from the right-back slot, as part of an untouched backline with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ilya Zabarnyi and the in-demand Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen.
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson
> Click here to see how Fulham could line up for this game
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