The latest Everton team news, injury list and predicted XI ahead of their Premier League clash against Hull City
Everton are back in Premier League action this weekend after three long weeks off, in which England all but booked their place in the UEFA Nations League knockouts after winning three of their four opening matches. The break came at a poor time for the Toffees, who were really hitting their stride with back-to-back wins in mid-September.
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On Sunday afternoon, David Moyes’ side play Hull City for the first time since 2022, when Andros Townsend’s extra time winner saw Everton win 3-2 in the third round of the FA Cup. So far this season, the Tigers have been highly impressive, and currently sit eighth in the league table - just one place below the Toffees and with one point fewer.
Heading into the game, Everton are still sweating over the fitness of star left-back Vitalii Mykolenko, while midfielders Christian Norgaard and Merlin Rohl are also doubts. Ahead of the Toffees’ big clash against Hull, this is the most likely starting XI Moyes will field as Everton look to push further up the table by the end of this weekend.
Will Mykolenko play against Hull?
Vitalii Mykolenko is Everton's only recognised natural left-back in the senior squadplaceholder image
Vitalii Mykolenko is Everton's only recognised natural left-back in the senior squad | Getty Images
Moyes is expected to line up with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation against Hull on Sunday afternoon. Jordan Pickford, fresh from back-to-back clean sheets with England in a campaign where he started just two of the four games, will be between the sticks for Everton. He’ll be making his 366th appearance for the club in all competitions.
It remains to be seen whether Moyes risks playing Mykolenko, after he withdrew from international duty with Ukraine due to a minor injury. Given the lack of options in this area, he could well be rested, with summer signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles switching flank over to the left, and Jake O’Brien starting at right-back.
Central defence is an area of real strength for the Toffees, with the return of Jarrad Branthwaite after a serious of injury problems proving to be a blessing. He’ll start in defence on Sunday, alongside star centre-back James Tarkowski, who has to go down as one of the best free transfer deals in Premier League history, as he continues to shine four years on from joining the club.
Everton predicted XI vs Hull: midfield and attack
Man City's Jack Grealish has been welcomed back to Everton on loan with open armsplaceholder image
Man City's Jack Grealish has been welcomed back to Everton on loan with open arms | Getty Images
Everton also have plenty of options when it comes to central midfielders, despite the injuries to Rohl and Norgaard. Key player James Garner, who played around an hour of football for England during the international break across three substitute appearances, will start alongside promising young talent Harrison Armstrong.
On the left wing, Jack Grealish will strive to continue his encouraging comeback after the majority of his loan spell at the Hill Dickinson Stadium was blighted by injury last season. Over on the right, Brennan Johnson could make way for £24m man Tyrique George, who has looked a better player this season than he did on his loan spell from Chelsea in the 2025/26 campaign. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will be looking to weave his magic in the number ten role.
Up top, Thierno Barry will look to score in back-to-back matches after netting in Everton’s 1-0 win over Ipswich Town just before the international break. The Toffees are hugely reliant on the Frenchman staying fit, with his only replacement on the books being 18-year-old Braiden Graham, who is yet to play his first senior game for the club.
Everton predicted XI vs Hull: Pickford; Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Maitland-Niles; Armstrong, Garner; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.