Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking ahead of his side’s Premier League clash at Everton on Tuesday10:28, 10 Feb 2026Updated 14:31, 10 Feb 2026Andoni Iraola greets David Moyes prior to the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Everton at Vitality Stadium on December 02, 2025(Image: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)Andoni Iraola has paid a warm tribute to David Moyes ahead of Bournemouth’s maiden visit to Hill Dickinson Stadium to take on Everton tonight (Tuesday, 7.30pm kick-off). The two managers are friends.They shared dinner together in the summer when the Blues and the Cherries competed in the Premier League Summer Series in the United States. But this evening they will be hoping to steer their sides to vital victories in the race for Europe.Everton could move up to sixth with a first home win since December 6 while Bournemouth would move level on points with their hosts with an away triumph.READ MORE: David Moyes says he is ‘too old’ to think the unthinkable as he sets Europe target for EvertonREAD MORE: David Moyes questions Premier League over Everton fixture decision – ‘Very difficult’Both teams are unbeaten in five Premier League games and only one goal separated them in December’s reverse fixture at the Vitality Stadium when the Blues won it thanks to a deflected effort from Jack Grealish, who last night confirmed he had undergone surgery on the broken foot that will rule him out for the rest of the season.And, speaking at his press conference to preview the match, Cherries boss Iraola said: “I think first of all they have very good players. This is the main thing.”And obviously David Moyes – 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. Now we have also two away games in a row.”We play Everton and West Ham in two away games. And now we arrive to the moments of the season where every point is massive for every team.”And it’s going to be a big fight, I expect, because they are duel winners. They have players that make the difference. (Iliman) Ndiaye, (Kiernan) Dewsbery-Hall, (James) Garner, players that are in a very good moment of form.”Thierno Barry now is with more confidence scoring goals, very uncomfortable striker to defend. And, yeah, big challenge, big challenge.”Also very excited to play in the new stadium. It looks very nice from the outside, but I haven’t been there, and looking forward to be there.”Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settingsThe last four league meetings between the teams have been 0-0 at half-time before being decided in the second half.And Iraola, whose side dominated Aston Villa on Saturday but had to settle for a 1-1 draw, added: “I don’t know what to tell you! I think we had good numbers against them, but we lost in the first game against them this season.”I think they are an uncomfortable team to play against because they combine very well, they can play short and then they can go direct and you have to be a little bit ready for both and sometimes your team can get longer. Probably, I wasn’t aware of that stat.”It makes me think maybe we should be good in the second half. Maybe we leave some players for the second half. I don’t know if you can read too much.”I think in this short turnaround, it’s true that for me it’s key to analyse today who can go again. I don’t think we will repeat the same starting XI. Probably there is, I don’t know, but probably there is going to be some change because we did a massive effort the other day against Villa.”I suppose for them it’s going to be very similar and now it’s about who has the energy to go again. Maybe some players are not ready for 90, are ready for 20 and we are focusing today especially on this.”
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