Everton resume their Premier League duties on Sunday by hosting Manchester United in what promises to be a boisterous atmosphere at Goodison Park.
The Toffees were deducted ten points over the international break over breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, plunging them into the relegation zone just as Sean Dyche seemed to have turned a corner. There will be an appeal, but until the resolution to that comes out, it will be another relegation dogfight for the Merseyside club.
As a result, Sean Dyche and Co. will be fired up for the visit of Man United, who despite poor on-field performances headed into the international break as one of the Premier League’s form teams.
Everton Team News
Amadou Onana picked up a calf injury that cut short his stay with Belgium during the international break, so his availability for the visit of Man United remains doubtful. Dele Alli is still out but Andre Gomes could be available for the weekend, after also having a calf issue.
Predicted Everton lineup vs Man United (4-4-1-1)
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford is Everton’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper and should start against Man United.
Defence
The home side are likely to line up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite continuing their strong central defensive pairing.
Ashley Young and Vitali Mykolenko are likely to shape up as the full-backs and try stopping United’s wingers from providing service in the box. Whenever there are opportunities, Young and Mykolenko will also push up and provide width to Everton’s attacks.
Midfield
The calf injury to Amadou Onana is a big blow and his availability against Erik ten Hag’s remains doubtful. If he misses out, Idrissa Gueye will be the favourite to come into central midfield and partner James Garner, who has been having a good season for the Toffees.
Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil will look to add creativity, guile and drive to the side from the right and left wing, respectively. When Everton are defending, the two wide players will tuck in and make it difficult for United to play through.
Andres Gomes is expected to be in the squad after recovering from a calf problem, and the Portuguese could be introduced in the latter stages of the game.
Attack
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have good chemistry between them, and the duo could cause problems for the visitors’ defence. With his pace and physicality, Calvert-Lewin could be a real handful for the United defenders, with Doucoure playing off him as a second striker.
Arnaut Danjuma, Beto and Youssef Chermiti could come off the bench as fresh legs in attack for the home side.
