Analysis: Evanilson's return can revive Bournemouth's European dream

Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 29.

Player analysis: Evanilson (AFC Bournemouth)

Bournemouth’s impressive push for a place in Europe next season has been given a timely boost by the return of fit-again striker Evanilson.

A broken metatarsal kept the Brazilian forward out for nearly two months, but he has scored in his first two starts since returning from injury, against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup and at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

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While Bournemouth coped admirably without him to record thumping victories against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, the 25-year-old is very much first choice for Andoni Iraola.

And with the Cherries stumbling in their bid for European qualification, taking just one point from their last three matches, Evanilson's return can help to put them back on track. 

What is Evanilson’s super strength?

The Cherries' No 9 is a terrific all-round centre forward, but his greatest asset is exceptional movement.

Evanilson is alert when his team-mates are building play up and always looks to take up clever positions on the blindside of his markers.

He then explodes into life when a pass is on to receive, regularly darting in behind opposition central defenders to get onto the ball inside the penalty area.

Five of his six Premier League goals this season owe plenty to his quality movement.

Last weekend Evanilson turned his body 180 degrees in a flash to make a blindside run behind Micky van de Ven that was expertly picked out by Justin Kluivert’s reverse pass, as shown below.

During the Christmas period Evanilson netted in a 2-2 draw at Fulham, running off the back of Joachim Andersen to score from an acute angle.

His intelligent run for James Hill’s pass was widely praised.

Evanilson's first goal for the Cherries came against Southampton back in September 2024 - and that strike also owed plenty to an intuitive run.

From a quick Marcus Tavernier free-kick, he stood behind Taylor Harwood-Bellis before arcing a fabulous sprint in front of the defender to score.

When you look back at November's winner against Manchester City, it’s the way Evanilson angles his sprint around the back of Nathan Ake that stands out most.

The Bournemouth star really is a master at taking up positions outside of a central defenders’ eye-line.

This trait even helped him to score against Brentford in the reverse fixture, bending a run around the back of his marker, before sneaking in to intercept Sepp van den Berg’s underhit backpass.

What do the stats tell us about his run-making?

Evanilson is a relatively low-touch striker, averaging just 24.66 per 90 minutes. But, very much in keeping with Iraola’s style of play, he is industrious.

Only five other top-flight strikers make more sprints than the former FC Porto star, who targets penetrative, vertical runs.

Indeed, Ollie Watkins, Nicolas Jackson, Alexander Isak and Dominic Solanke are the only Premier League frontmen to have made more runs challenging the backline this season than Evanilson.

Evanilson's running stats PL 24/25

*Minimum 900 minutes

As you will see from the Opta graphic below, which marks out the type of off-the-ball runs he makes in greater detail, Evanilson is adept at making lung-busting sprints from deep.

You may also note that he has a penchant for attacking the left side of the six-yard box when looking to get on the end of crosses or passes.

Whenever the Cherries get onto the front foot this weekend, Brentford’s defenders must be aware of Evanilson.

Triggering the press

Under Iraola, Bournemouth have developed as a team of outstanding ball-winners, and as the first line of defence Evanilson often sets the tone by triggering their press.

He almost scored inside the first minute from a high turnover at Spurs last weekend, and in general he more than plays his part in making the Cherries so tough to play against.

Evanilson's work-rate PL 24/25

He is not at the very top end in terms of numbers, but Evanilson does regain possession plenty of times for his side inside the final third, and often, as shown below, to the left of centre inside the opposition half.

His work-rate fits perfectly with Iraola's philosophy.

A key cog in Iraola’s wheel

Evanilson has produced some high-class finishes this season, but with a conversion rate of 13.04 per cent and a record of one goal every 244 minutes he is not especially prolific.

Improvements in that area of his game may still come, but it is his overall skillset and rounded contributions to the side that make him so important.

Bournemouth proved they can flourish without Evanilson but, starting in nine of the Cherries’ 12 victories, he has also laid the platform for many good displays in 2024/25.

The wrong time to face Brentford?

Bournemouth lost 3-2 away against Thomas Frank’s men in November, during a spell where the Bees were in phenomenal form at home.

Unfortunately for Iraola's team, they now host Brentford during a period where they are performing spectacularly well on their travels.

Ahead of their trip to Vitality Stadium, Brentford have won four consecutive away fixtures.

Best away form last four PL matches

Brentford have flipped their form around – struggling on their own patch but now flourishing on the road – so the fixture calendar has perhaps not been the kindest to Bournemouth where this specific head-to-head is concerned.

With both clubs eyeing up a first foray ever into European football next season, this contest has a "big game" feel.

Bournemouth will feel they have a great chance to jump back into the top six this weekend with Evanilson available to spearhead their attack and Newcastle not in Premier League action due to their involvement in the EFL Cup final.

Race for Europe

Position Pos	Club	Played Pl	GD	Points Pts
5	Man City MCI	28	+15	47
6	Newcastle NEW	28	+9	47
7	Brighton BHA	28	+6	46
8	Aston Villa AVL	29	-4	45
9	Bournemouth BOU	28	+13	44
10	Fulham FUL	28	+3	42
11	Crystal Palace CRY	28	+3	39
12	Brentford BRE	28	+4	38

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