Things are looking up at Goodison Park after some praiseworthy performances by Everton. The Toffees endured a difficult start to the campaign which led to the sacking of Ronald Koeman. Sam Allardyce has since managed to steady the ship and would try to exploit Newcastle United by claiming all the three points after an impressive derby showing.
Team News
Everton desperately await the return of Ross Barkley to infuse some more creativity in the final third. Leighton Baines, who is incidentally a set piece specialist too, is yet to make a comeback. Seamus Coleman and Yannick Bolasie will sit out of this match too.
Formation: 4-4-2
Defence
Pickford has played every single minute of league football for Everton this season and will again start in goal.
Michael Keane and Ashley Williams will be playing at the heart of the defence in this game. Williams will use his physicality and strong tackling to negate Joselu’s threat in the box. Keane might make a comeback and will have to be aware of Joselu and Gayle’s tricky partnership.
Kenny and Cuco Martina will fill in the fullback positions for the Toffees. Both of them are extremely disciplined and focus more on the defensive part of their game rather than the offensive aspect.
Midfield
Aaron Lennon and Gylfi Sigurdsson will occupy the flanks in the 4-man midfield. Sigurdsson has shown immense signs of improvement after an early season blemish. The Icelander has thrived on the left flank and we expect him to have more of an impact as we enter the busier portion of the season. Lennon’s introduction on the flanks has been somewhat baffling, as he has offered nothing notable going forward.
Idrissa Gueye has been the main man in midfield this season and his performances have been inspiring. Gueye keeps the midfield glued together, makes the crucial defensive contributions and links the defence with the attack.
His incessant running helps him create some opportunities in the other half. It is safe to say that Gueye is the focal point of the team, someone who holds up the entire setup. Schneiderlin is expected to partner him.
Attack
Wayne Rooney has roared back into form and will be on a high after the goal in the weekend. His finishing has been better than ever and he possesses the same calmness in the final third. Helping him will be Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose youthful exuberance and creation of chances bring in more tenacity in the final third for Everton.