Everton host 5th place Manchester United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday evening. It’s been almost two weeks since either team’s last game, with United coming off the back of a 1-1 draw with West Ham, and the Toffees faced a 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth after going down to 10 men with Jake O’Brien being shown red in the 69th minute. Here is the latest Everton team news and our predicted lineup.
Everton Team News and Predicted Lineup vs Manchester United As Toffees Chase Seventh Spot
How Everton Have Lined Up Recently
Everton’s only January signing, Tyrique George, made his first start for the home side, playing just over an hour of the match before being replaced by Harrison Armstrong. Otherwise, manager David Moyes has stuck very closely to the same starting lineup for each fixture. With his defence conceding only 30 goals this season, Everton has the fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League, proving the back four along with Jordan Pickford look strong.
At the other end of the pitch, it appears to be a different story, with Everton being the team with the fourth least goals scored in the league this campaign.
Read More:Three Talking Points as Oxford United Draw at Middlesbrough
First choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford started in goal with Jake O’Brien, James Tarkowski, Jarrod Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko making up the back four. Idrissa Gueye and James Garner lined up in the defensive midfield, with Iliman Ndiaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Tyrique George in the attacking midfield. Thierno Barry finished the lineup up front.
Everton Recent Form And Tactics
Losing only one of their last five, Everton are still fighting for a spot in European football, but they are dropping crucial points against teams placed lower in the table. Their upcoming fixtures may not ease their worries, with games against fourth-place Chelsea and top-of-the-table Arsenal on the horizon.
Read More:UEFA Champions League Knockout Round Play-offs Predictions Including PSG vs Monaco
As mentioned, the Toffees are doing well defensively, but action up front continues to be sparse. They are still relying on set-pieces to create chances, however Moyes’ side has only hadnine free kicks in the 26 games they’ve played so far this season. Of the 111 corners Everton have taken,only two have led to a goal.
Read More:UEFA Champions League Knockout Round Play-offs Predictions Including Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge
Moyes will be disappointed with these stats, including his two strikers only scoring seven of the 29 goals scored this season, however the team manages to continue to challenge teams and stay in the top ten, something Moyes can’t be disappointed with.
Everton Team News
Jack Grealish remains the only player missing from the Everton squad due to injury, however O’Brien will now miss this fixture due to suspension.
Read More:Tottenham vs Arsenal Confirmed Lineups and Team News
Seamus Coleman could play his first minutes after returning from a lengthy injury spell to replace the suspended O’Brien, withMoyes stating: “Seamus is fit and available, so we’ve got people we can choose.”
Everton Predicted Lineup
GK: Jordan Pickford
Defence: Nathan Patterson – James Tarkowski – Vitalii Mykolenko – Jarrad Branthwaite
Midfield: Idrissa Gueye – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Iliman Ndiaye – James Garner – Tyrique George
Forwards: Thierno Barry