Everton are back in action, much to the delight of a fanbase that has been treated to a fine run of results, but will have it all to do against a tough Chelsea side.
Having beaten Newcastle United last time out, enjoying midweek mayhem at Goodison Park, today’s opponents instead fell to defeat against a poor Manchester United side.
Such is the unpredictability of the Blues, today could go one of a few ways.
Sean Dyche will hope to quell their potent attacking threat, knowing that their weakness lies at the back. Exploiting any blunders made will be key to the potential success they might earn, whilst remaining steadfast and solid throughout.
However, with a few knocks and ailments to contend with, as well as having just two days’ rest, it will be interesting to see exactly how the Toffees line up.
Here’s our predicted XI for Everton’s game against Chelsea…
Jordan Pickford certainly enjoyed himself on Thursday night, revelling in a win over Sunderland’s fierce rivals and making sure the away support knew of his delight.
Admittedly, the shot-stopper was left with little to do, thanks to the titanic displays of Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski.
This is a pairing unlikely to be broken anytime soon, with Vitaliy Mykolenko another mainstay at left-back.
However, with Seamus Coleman having been forced off, likely due to fatigue, perhaps this marks an opportunity for Nathan Patterson to finally shine from the start.
Another star who could return is Amadou Onana, who was deemed not fit enough for their win over the Magpies. However, with the £100k-per-week Belgian having been rested, and likely handed one more crucial training sessions, perhaps he could be risked to silence Enzo Fernandez.
After all, he does act as Everton’s ‘metronome’ when present, as branded by Belgian news outlet HLN.
He will partner Idrissa Gana Gueye, should James Garner have not recovered from his illness, and the two will offer the foundation for Abdoulaye Doucoure to return to his more natural attacking midfield role.
The return of a few key stars will in turn allow the likes of Jack Harrison to return out wide, despite the on-loan Leeds United man impressing in the centre.
Dwight McNeil, who has two goals in his last two games, will therefore start on the opposite flank.
Up front marks a point of immense contention, given how profligate Dominic Calvert-Lewin was against Newcastle.
Meanwhile, his replacement Beto came from the bench to score a third, and his first in the Premier League.
Perhaps, both in order to maintain such form and ease the 26-year-old’s workload, the Portuguese marksman might have earned another start.
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