Everton have to win tonight. It is inarguable. Having misplaced all 4 of their opening Premier League matches regardless of holding two-goal leads in each of their current fixtures, the temper is fairly dour at Goodison Park.

They did dispatch Doncaster Rovers within the second spherical of the Carabao Cup final month although, and will now use the third-round tie towards fellow top-flighters Southampton as a launchpad. They should do exactly that in any case.

Saints be a part of the Toffees in being the 2 Premier League golf equipment and not using a single level this time period, so each can be determined to safe victory, however Everton maintain the house benefit and have demonstrated their capability to get into good positions – they simply have to maintain it.

Sean Dyche ought to ring the adjustments, with as many as eight alterations made to the facet that capitulated at Villa Park on Saturday night.

1

GK – João Virginia

Joao Virginia has but to characteristic this season however the 24-year-old has been on the bench for every of Everton’s contests. Jordan Pickford is likely one of the most interesting goalkeepers within the Premier League however he would possibly transfer to the sidelines for the primary time for the reason that summer time.

2

RB – Roman Dixon

One of many refined vibrant sparks all through the awful early stage of the 2024/25 marketing campaign. Roman Dixon appears to be like like an fascinating expertise and performed in addition to he may have throughout final month’s heavy defeat towards Tottenham Hotspur.

Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson are each injured, so {the teenager} will get the nod.

3

CB – James Tarkowski

Dyche cannot make a complete sweep of adjustments, and James Tarkowski remains to be one in all Everton’s greatest gamers, even when he is flattered to deceive a bit throughout this opening month.

He misses the injured Jarrad Branthwaite for certain. Although, saying that, the skipper has nonetheless gained 59% of his contested duels this time period, successful 5.0 per recreation, as per Sofascore.

4

CB – Jake O’Brien

Signed from Lyon in July for a £17m charge, Irish centre-half Jake O’Brien has performed a bit-part function to date beneath Dyche. He was hailed as a “revelation in defence” for the French facet by journalist Zach Lowy.

Standing at 6 foot 6, he’ll have the skies on lock, however O’Brien can also be an enterprising kind and can add a dimension from an offensive standpoint, having scored 5 objectives final time period.

5

LB – Vitalii Mykolenko

Vitalii Mykolenko was solely afforded a cameo towards Aston Villa and can thus be in line for a beginning berth for this one.

Ashley Younger can in fact characteristic at left-back, however the 39-year-old is previous his sell-by date and the Ukrainian’s athleticism could possibly be key on this one, having recovered six free balls and gained 100% of his floor duels towards Doncaster.

6

CM – Orel Mangala

Orel Mangala is a crisp and balanced midfielder with glorious ball retention and a robust defensive recreation. He joined in the summertime and could possibly be in line for his first begin after making his debut off the bench towards Villa.

Journalist Josh Bunting praised his “excellent” talents, which can effectively show essential in Everton’s quest to protect their Premier League standing and reignite the optimism within the blue half of Merseyside.

7

CM – James Garner

One of many most interesting signings of the previous few years, James Garner has been indispensable along with his positional fluidity and tenacity showcasing his high quality since signing from Manchester United for £15m in 2022.

He was shoehorned in at right-back towards Unai Emery’s males and his lack of expertise within the function confirmed after Lucas Digne escaped him to fireplace within the cross for the equaliser.

He is the entire participant and can assist Everton win the central battle later as we speak.

8

RW – Jesper Lindstrom

Jesper Lindstrom hasn’t been handed an excessive amount of of a possibility since signing on in the summertime, maybe because of the work required to regulate to the tempo and depth of the Premier League.

He has a shrewd eye for objective, and this would possibly simply be his time to shine…

9

AM – Abdoulaye Doucoure

If Everton pull off the win this night and advance to the following spherical, you would not guess towards Abdoulaye Doucoure notching a late-stage winner.

He is been hailed as his facet’s “catalyst” in assault by Dyche up to now and ranks among the many high 4% of positional friends throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous 12 months for tackles and the highest 6% for interceptions per 90, as per FBref, in addition.

10

LW – Iliman Ndiaye

Everton signed Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille for £15m this summer time to bolster their attacking line. The Senegalese winger scored within the second spherical victory and has appeared menacing within the Premier League, with out really bringing all of it collectively but.

He’ll be hoping to take his soccer to the following degree and show his talismanic capability. Teammate Tim Iroegbunam has hailed him as a “magic” participant with “ridiculous” technical high quality – now let’s have a look at him bloom.

11

CF – Beto

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has began the season in glorious type, posting two objectives and an help throughout 4 top-flight matches. He is an injury-prone fellow, although, and will not begin tonight.

Enter Beto. The hulking centre-forward has not precisely been nice since arriving from Italy one 12 months in the past, however he is a focal frontman and can be determined to hit a purple patch and higher his present measly charge of six strikes from 42 appearances.

Predicted Everton line-up in full: (GK) João Virginia; (RB) Roman Dixon, (CB) James Tarkowski, (CB) Jake O’Brien, (LB) Vitalii Mykolenko; (CM) James Garner, (CM) Orel Mangala; (RW) Jesper Lindstrom, (AM) Abdoulaye Doucoure, (LW) Iliman Ndiaye; (CF) Beto.