Everton host Chelsea at Goodison Park on Sunday, December 22. It comes in the middle of a tough run of fixtures for the Toffees who would have faced the top five on the table in a row if not for the postponed Merseyside Derby. Last Word on Football brings you our Everton predicted lineup for the match at 2 pm.
Everton Predicted Lineup To Face Chelsea
How Everton Have Lined Up
Manager Sean Dyche often keeps a reasonably consistent starting eleven. In the last two fixtures, only one change has been made. In place of the injured Dwight McNeil was loanee Jack Harrison on the right wing. On the other wing was Iliman Ndiaye, whose dribbling ability is needed to open up the faltering Everton attack.
Heading the front three was Dominic Calvert-Lewin who has started all but one game this season. Behind the English striker was Abdoulaye Doucoure, who was in the attacking midfielder role. The base of the midfield is often manned by Idrissa Gueye and Orel Mangala in a double pivot.
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The back line has been steady with Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski in the centre of it. On the flanks Vitaliy Mykolenko and Ashley Young have been the only fit options available for most of the season. Jordan Pickford has started every game for the Toffees in the net this season.
Everton’s Recent Form and Tactics
The defence has found its form over the last month. They have kept four clean sheets out of their last five matches. It takes their campaign tally to six, second most in the league. Everton will be reliant on their steadfast defence to get a result against Chelsea who have the best attack in the competition.
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The visitors play with intent, ranking in the top three for both progressive carries and through balls. Gueye will be tasked with closing down their midfielders so as to not allow them too much time on the ball.
Everton plays a 4-2-3-1 that turns into a 4-4-2 in defence. They will keep narrow and look to force the blues out wide where they will have to cross into two aerially dominant centre-backs.
Everton Injuries To Consider
Manager Sean Dyche outlined the fitness of the squad in this week’s press conference. Dwight McNeil is hopeful to be available. Long-term injuries to James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam continue to sideline the two central midfielders.
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: Abdoulaye Doucoure
LM: Iliman Ndiaye
RM: Dwight McNeil
ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin