The final game before the World Cup break sees Bournemouth take on Everton in a rematch of Tuesday's EFL Cup affair.

The Cherries ran out 4-1 victors with goals from Jamal Lowe, Junior Stanislas, Emiliano Marcondes and Jaidon Anthony.

O'Neil will hope this proves to be a morale boosting win after four defeats in a row. 

  • O'Neil's future

Saturday's game could mark the final one in O'Neil's tenure as interim manager. He has overseen 11 matches in all competitions with three wins, four draws and four defeats. 

"I'm always in dialogue with the club, Richard Hughes and Neill Blake. We speak on a regular basis anyway."

"I’m sure on Saturday there will be a conversation on what happens next, as there is after every Saturday. Of course, the break allows the club to decide how we move forward from this moment."

"If you'd have asked me that every week, that would have been the same. I know I'll be in charge for the Everton game, and we'll have a conversation after that."

  • On the recent defeats

O'Neil's troops went into their EFL Cup tie after a poor run of form which included surrendering two goal leads against Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United. 

The 39-year-old stated that the team have suffered from unsatisfactory moments rather than poor performances.

"I think if I assess the whole 10 Premier League games, whenever the game has been structured and controlled and it's looked how I told the boys it will look, and it's been on plan, we've looked a really, really good side for most parts."

"And then, when it gets to the end of games and it's more frantic, it's more chaotic and not as tactical, we've sometimes struggled in those moments."

"You guys and people will think a sub here, a tweak of formation, things like that, can fix it but there's so much more to it than that. The boys' understanding of each situation, because each situation is different… you have no control over what the opposition are going to do at that time."

"So just trying to improve the group's understanding of what it takes to see out a football match at that point, how you manage the game, decision-making, good times to play when you shouldn't play. That's the only definite way to improve."

It was confirmed on Wednesday that both Chris Mepham and Kieffer Moore will be representing Wales at the upcoming World Cup.

Both have had positive calendar years with a call-up proving to be the perfect ending to 2022 for the pair.

Mepham has seen his game-time increase significantly since a return to the Premier League and has consistently performed well at centre-back. While Moore, who scored the goal to send the club back to the top tier in May, has found the net three times including two in the aforementioned game against Tottenham. 

“I’m delighted for them,” said O’Neil. “Meps goes in fantastic form and was excellent against Everton on Tuesday.

“Kieffer has had a good couple of games for us and has been a real impact now we have got him into the side.

“The opportunity to go and play in a World Cup finals for both of them is massive so I’m really pleased.”

  • Injury news

The injury front is the same as it was a week ago with goalkeeper Neto, captain Lloyd Kelly and David Brooks remaining out. 

O'Neil revealed Kelly was the closest to making the game on Saturday

“We are the same as we were.

“Lloyd Kelly doesn’t look like he will make it, it’s not definite but we have the World Cup break coming up and he will definitely be fine after that. The Everton game might just come too soon for him.”

  • Saturday's opponents

Not often do clubs have a rematch within the same week but this unusual predicament is what Bournemouth and Everton have in front of them.

O'Neil though believes that Tuesday's match will count for very little on Saturday especially with the changes that were made to both teams.

“I think it will be a very different game. I think they will bring a different team and will be in a different system. I still hope we come out on top, but I expect it to feel very different.

“They made 11 changes, and we made nine. Neither side wanted to give too much away tactically so I don’t think it will have any bearing.

“Everton are a very good side and to make 11 changes and be able to name a team as strong as they did shows how strong their squad is. It’s going to be another difficult game for us.”