There is a long list of subplots as West Ham and Everton face off in the David Moyes derby for the last time at Goodison Park.
The most obvious is the big reunion between David Moyes and former club West Ham.
Moyes has refused to take the West Ham bait ahead of his first game against them in his new job back at Everton.
Another subplot is that the Toffees reportedly wanted new Hammers boss Graham Potter as their prime target when Sean Dyche left.
In his pre-match press conference, Potter insisted it is his ‘right as a private person’ not to confirm whether Everton tried to appoint him before he chose West Ham.
That in itself suggests those reports were true.
Now Potter must show Everton what they are missing rather than Moyes doing just that to the Hammers.
Another big subplot is the fact this will be the last time West Ham play at Goodison Park.
Moyes leads Everton into their new stadium next season at Bramley-Moore Dock.
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It is the least significant subplot for the wider Premier League that is perhaps most important of all for this clash, though.
Bragging rights.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Potter makes two big West Ham changes for Everton
Some sections of West Ham’s support continue to debate the club’s decision to move on from Moyes.
It’s not quite the civil war it was initially. But if Moyes gets one over on West Ham, that divide among supporters will come to the fore.
‘For goodness sake, please win this one’ seems to be the general consensus from Hammers fans.
The Irons and Toffees are level on 33 points going into the game.
Moving up to the heady heights of 13th is the prize on offer in terms of the Premier League table.
In the grand scheme of things, who finishes higher in the league is pretty insignificant beyond pride and extra merit payment cash – around £3m per place.
But those bragging rights are all-important in this one.
That puts a bit of added pressure on Potter and his team selection.
Some Hammers fans have been disappointed with the setup and performances, particularly at home.
Many supporters criticised a ‘boring and lifeless’ attacking display from West Ham in the defeat to Newcastle on Monday night.
As a result it’s predicted Potter will make two big West Ham changes for Everton and he’s considering a third.
After the defeat to Newcastle, Potter actually apologised to Hammers fans over the lack of progress in terms of the style and attack.
He also named a number of players who were ‘dead on their feet’ at the end of that game.
Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Potter considers three changes for Toffees
That was a big hint he is about to ring some changes to the side.
When discussing young full-back Ollie Scarles recently, Potter said he would come in and out of the team as part of his “journey” to being an established first team star.
The left-back was one of the players Potter said was running on empty after Newcastle.
So he looks set to be rested with Emerson Palmieri coming back in for change number one.
The second change is motivated by West Ham’s lack of guile and creativity.
The midfield has been the biggest problem for some time now.
West Ham did not have one midfielder who could play on the half-turn or create anything against Newcastle.
With another week of training under his belt, Lucas Paqueta will be ready to start against Everton.
Scarles rested, Paqueta back and a West Ham start for Ferguson?
Potter insists Paqueta has not been visibly affected by his spot-fixing trial, which starts next week.
So the Brazilian magnifico will come back into the starting XI.
Who he replaces may then dictate a third change Potter is pondering.
The Hammers boss must decide whether to match Everton up by reverting to four at the back.
Or does he stick with the five and outnumber the Toffees in midfield?
Paqueta could come back in for Aaron Cresswell to enable Potter to switch to four at the back.
After being questioned over a lack of game time for loan striker signing Evan Ferguson, though, a third change may also be on the cards.
And it could see consistent but crab-like James Ward-Prowse or leggy Edson Alvarez make way for the 20-year-old Irish forward.
If Potter wants to keep the five at the back, he may opt to bring Paqueta in for Ward-Prowse or Alvarez.
Predicted West Ham starting XI for Everton with two changes:
Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson, Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Alvarez, Paqueta, Kudus, Bowen.
Predicted West Ham starting XI for Everton with three changes:
Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson, Soucek, Ward-Prowse or Alvarez, Paqueta, Kudus, Bowen, Ferguson.