After a dead draw in the Merseyside derby, Sam Allardyce’s Everton will be back in action this weekend when they travel to Liberty Stadium to take on a Swansea City side that is coming on the back of a 1-1 draw against West Ham United in the last round. The Toffees have won just two of their last six games but are well positioned in the 9th place in the points table. A win in this game can take them above Leicester City to 8th and though they don’t have much to play for, will want to finish the season as high as possible.
Carlos Carvalhal’s side are currently just five points above the drop zone but have picked up some form late this season and will not be easy to beat, especially at home. They can move to 13th with a win in this game and Everton will have to be at their best to steal all three points. Here is the predicted lineup Allardyce might field for this tie:
Team News:
In early team news, The Toffees are still without the services of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Maarten Stekelenburg, Eliaquim Mangala, Mason Holgate and James McCarthy, all of who are suffering from injuries and have been ruled out of this game. They remain the only absentees ahead of this trip to Wales for Everton.
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1):
Defence:
The Toffees have a decent star under their bar in Jordan Pickford, who has been one of the most consistent players for the club this season. Phil Jagielka and Michael Keane have been preferred in central defence recently by Allardyce and they should continue to keep Ashley Williams on the bench this weekend.
Everton have one of the most experienced fullback pairs in the league and we expect to see both Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman start on the flanks to complete the back four.
Midfield:
Idrissa Gueye came on from the bench against Liverpool but could start this game while Morgan Schneiderlin might keep his place at the heart of the midfield against the Swans.
Attack:
Theo Walcott has turned into a crucial part of the squad for Everton and will start on the right flank while Yannick Bolasie, who was unlucky not to score in the derby, will keep his place on the left flank in the attack.
Cenk Tosun did not have a great game against Liverpool but will be the danger man for Swansea while Wayne Rooney is expected to start in a slightly withdrawn role through the middle.
Here is how they might line up:
