David Moyes takes the Toffees to Germany for their sternest pre-season test yet, facing a resilient Bundesliga side while sweating on fitness concerns and stagnant summer recruitment.
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Everton continue their preparations for the new 2026/2027 season as they head to Germany for a double header, starting with a trip to Hamburger SV at Volskparkstadion.
Everton kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 4-0 victory over Dundee, followed by disappointing results against Bolton and Stoke.
David Moyes' side now head off to Germany to kickstart August, when the difficulty of their friendlies starts to ramp up.
There's no doubt the game against Hamburg approaching should be Everton's toughest test of pre-season so far, and with the season just around the corner, we will hopefully see things start to click into place.
Unfortunately, there have been no new additions since the opening pre-season fixture, and there's no doubt the Toffees need to get a move on in terms of their recruitment.
Hamburg vs Everton preview
Hamburg are preparing for another season of solidity in the Bundesliga after finishing in 13th place last season. The German side were only promoted back to the top flight during the 2024/2025 campaign, before avoiding relegation comfortably last term.
Hamburg's most recently friendly saw them secure a 3-1 win over Heidenheim, with former Premier League players Albert Gronbaek and Patson Daka getting on the scoresheet.
Everton go into the game off the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat away at Stoke. Results certainly don't matter during pre-season, but supporters are desperate to see the performance levels head on an upward trajectory.
Team news
It could be a similar squad to face Hamburg as we saw against Stoke, barring Jarrad Branthwaite potentially coming back in.
James Garner will miss the game after undergoing surgery, and he's in a race against time to return for the start of the Premier League season.
Tyler Dibling made his return against Stoke after shaking off a knock, while Hayden Hackney enjoyed his first run-out since joining the club.
Everton predicted XI
Travers; Rohl, O'Brien, Branthwaite, Aznou; Hackney, Armstrong; Dibling, Dewsbury-Hall, George; Barry.
To absolutely nobody's surprise, I failed to do the impossible and predict a pre-season XI last time out. I don't expect that to change this week, but I've given it a go anyway.
We could see Branthwaite come back in, potentially, after he missed the game against Stoke. Another start for Hackney would be nice to see.
Unfortunately, no new signings brought to us over the last few days. Let's hope there are some in time for our second friendly in Germany.