Everton hosts Liverpool in the last-ever Premier League Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. The Toffees won this fixture 2-0 last season, their first home win against their cross-town rivals in 14 years. Last Word on Football brings you our Everton predicted lineup for the match that kicks off at 12:30 pm on Saturday, December 7.
Everton Predicted Lineup For Merseyside Derby
How Everton Have Lined Up
The Everton backline has been constant for the last couple of games. Jordan Pickford mans the net with Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski being the duo in the centre of the defence. Vitaliy Mykolenko and Ashley Young are the current wing-backs with Nathan Patterson being the only other available fullback.
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Orel Mangala rejoined the starting lineup against the Wolves last time. Alongside him in the base of the midfield was Idrissa Gueye. Abdoulaye Doucoure was in the attacking midfield role last game but has also played in the double pivot.
Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye were on the wing, with the former often playing a central attacking role in place of Doucoure. Dominic Calvert-Lewin started once again as a striker after being benched for one game. Guinea-Bissau striker Beto started in his place.
Everton’s Recent Form and Tactics
With a 4-0 against Wolverhampton, the Toffees have given themselves a bit of breathing room ahead of a tough December.
Everton rely on their defence. They have kept three clean sheets in their last four games, with a 4-0 loss to Manchester United the only major fault in that run.
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If the blue side of Stanley Park is to get a result in the derby it will likely be from long balls and set-piece situations. Last term almost half of their goal came from dead-ball situations. A similar trend is starting to appear in this campaign.
Against a Reds squad that will dominate possession, there will likely be a lot of long balls to the lone striker whose job is to lay off to oncoming wingers or to earn a foul high up the pitch.
Everton Injuries To Consider
The Toffees started the season with a run of injuries but have had a good bill of health since. Most first-team players are available with the exception of Youssef Chermiti and Michael Keane who are likely unavailable for this game.
Everton’s Predicted Lineup
GK: Jordan Pickford
RB: Ashley Young
CB: Jarrad Branthwaite
CB: James Tarkowski
LB: Vitaliy Mykolenko
CM: Orel Mangala
CM: Idrissa Gueye
CAM: Dwight McNeil
LM: Iliman Ndiaye
RM: Jesper Lindstrom
ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin