Sean Dyche, Arsenal, Everton
Everton and Arsenal face off at Emirates Stadium (Credit: Imago)
Josh Edwards
Thu 12 December 2024 12:10, UK
Everton travel to The Emirates on Saturday to face title contenders Arsenalm who will have hopes of bridging the six-point gap between themselves and Liverpool.
The Toffees saw their Merseyside Derby against Liverpool postponed last week over safety concerns regarding the weather while the hosts were held to a 1-1 draw against Fulham.
A 4-0 battering of Wolves on 4 December was the most recent result for the Toffees, who will be looking to add to that win with victory in London.
Preview
The tale of the two sides has been very, very different so far this campaign. Arsenal have aspirations of winning the Premier League, while the Toffees are hoping to avoid another relegation battle.
With that said, Everton have only lost one of their last four encounters in the league with that ending in a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Manchester United.
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The lack of wins has been concerning for the Merseysiders and even if they can muster up a victory at the Emirates, their place in the table will remain the same with a four-point gap currently separating them and West Ham in 14th.
Sean Dyche
Everton manager Sean Dyche [Credit: Imago]
The Toffees have recorded just three wins so far this season having also lost on six occasions and that will need to improve if a relegation battle is to be avoided.
Form Guide (Premier League)
Arsenal: DWWWD
Everton: LDDLW
Head-To-Head (Premier League)
Arsenal 2-1 Everton (May 2024)
Everton 0-1 Arsenal (September 2023)
Arsenal 4-0 Everton (March 2023)
Everton 1-0 Arsenal (February 2023)
Arsenal 5-1 Everton (May 2022)
Team News
Youssef Chermiti played 70 minutes for the Under-21s last Friday as he steps up his recovery. The Portuguese forward having now missed the last 17 matches.
Jarrad Branthwaite provided a short injury scare in their recent win against Wolves although those concerns were quickly curtailed.
Micahel Keane could face a late fitness test to determine if he can feature against the Gunners.
Midfielder duo James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are definitely out of the fixture, as Everton attempt to put another dent in Arsenal’s title hopes.
Everton Jarrad Branthwaite
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite [Credit Imago]
As for the hosts, defensive injuries are beginning to pile up and it will be a concern for Mikel Arteta. Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori could return, while Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey were absent from training this week.
Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain sidelined.
Predicted lineups
Arsenal: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Odegaard, Rice, Merino, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Everton: Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gueye, Mangala, Doucoure, McNeil, Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin
Where to watch?
The Toffees’ clash with Arsenal will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and Discovery+. with a 3 pm GMT kick-off time scheduled at the Emirates.
Prediction – Arsenal 3-0 Everton
The Gunners have been remarkable this season and their record from set pieces is something that could severely hurt the chances of a win for the Toffees.
It’s hard to see Dyche’s side getting anything out of the game with Arsenal having lost just twice so far this season.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard will undoubtedly play a key role in the game which looks all but set to result in three points for the title chasers.
In other Everton news, a transfer decision has been made on Beto.
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