After a humiliating defeat at the Emirates, Sam Allardyce’s Everton are back in action this weekend and finally have a chance to pick up some points, as they welcome Crystal Palace to the Goodison Park in the domestic league. Palace drew their last two games and are just four points away from Everton, who are in the 10th place in the points table.
The Toffees have won just one of their last nine games in all competitions and Allardyce will hope that they can get the better of the Eagles this weekend. He is expected to play a strong XI and here is the predicted lineup he might field for this tie:
Team News:
Everton do not have any new injury issues to worry about. They are still without the services of Maarten Stekelenburg, James McCarthy and Leighton Baines, who are all nursing injuries. Roberto Funes Mori is not too far away from a return but will also miss this game while Seamus Coleman is expected to return to the starting XI.
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1):
Defence:
Jordan Pickford remains the undisputed no.1 for Everton this season and will start under the bar. Allardyce shifted to a 3–man backline against Arsenal but should move back to a 4-2-3-1 in this tie. Ashley Williams could be back in the starting XI and should be partnered by Michael Keane who is in desperate need of some confidence.
Coleman, who is back in action, should retain his place at right-back while Cuco Martina will deputize at left-back in the absence of Leighton Baines.
Midfield:
Idrissa Gueye still remains one of the most important players for Everton and is one of the first names on the team sheet for the Blues. He is expected to be partnered with Morgan Schneiderlin, who had a forgettable afternoon against Arsenal.
Attack:
The manager has a number of option to chose for the four roles in the attack. While Theo Walcott is expected to keep his place on the right flank, Gylfi Sigurdsson remains the manager’s best option on the left flank. They will look to keep the pressure on a Crystal Palace defence, that has done well in recent games.
Wayne Rooney was an unused sub in the game against Arsenal but could be back in the first team this weekend, playing in the number 10 role. The lack of Oumar Niasse’s form should see Allardyce use Cenk Tosun to lead the line.
Here is how they might line up:
