Everton should be feeling well-rested after enjoying a lengthy January break, and as such will hopefully be raring to pounce into action today.
Luton Town mark their opponents, who travel down to Goodison Park for the second time this season as they seek to progress into the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Sean Dyche, however, actually boasts a squad largely ravaged by injury despite the rest, and faces a few selection dilemmas if he is to maintain his side’s fine solidity.
Here’s our predicted XI for Everton vs Luton Town
Dyche is expected to make just two changes from the side that cruised past the Eagles last week.
Joao Virginia has assumed his role as the stand-in keeper well in recent weeks, having impressed across both Crystal Palace fixtures, keeping back-to-back clean sheets.
His place looks under no threat, and the back four is to remain unchanged too.
Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko will flank the ever-present pairing of Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowksi, who have combined to keep three clean sheets in their last three games.
Amadou Onana and James Garner are a pairing unlikely to change either, as a solid midfield that offers an energetic foundation for Dyche’s solid system.
However, they will not be blessed with Abdoulaye Doucoure, who has seen another setback stunt his return. Unfortunately, last round’s free-kick hero Andre Gomes has also been struck down, and must be replaced.
The £22m maestro, who has been branded an ‘exceptional human being’ by podcaster Benj Winstanley in the past, has looked good on his return to the side in the last couple of months.
Moving Jack Harrison into that role seems the most obvious choice, given it is something the 52-year-old tactician has flirted with on several occasions this season.
His vacancy out wide could be filled with either Arnaut Danjuma or Lewis Dobbin, but with the former seemingly set to stay, he could be preferred in this clash.
That leaves Dwight McNeil to occupy his usual role on the opposite flank.
However, up front represents a conundrum for Dyche, who must decide whether to stick with the tried and tested failures of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto, or finally switch things up.
The duo have been notoriously profligate this campaign, and their lack of confidence has blunted an otherwise free-flowing side that creates plenty of chances.
Therefore, it could finally mark a chance for Youssef Chermiti to step up and star. After all, he could hardly do much worse…
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