The day is finally here as Everton’s 2024/25 campaign is set to get up and running with their home game against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Sean Dyche has now done all he can to get his side ready for the upcoming campaign and the talking will now be done on the pitch.
Everton have been active in the market having brought in four new faces over the course of the summer.
However, there have also been departures with Everton having sold Amadou Onana to Aston Villa for a fee of around £50m.
There could still be scope for more arrivals with Everton showing an interest in the likes of Roma midfielder Edoardo Bove.
But for now, Dyche has his squad to select from for their opening game against the Seagulls as the Toffees look to start their final season at Goodison Park in the right style.
So, for the first time this season, here is Everton News‘ predicted XI for the season opener…
Big injury misses
It’s not how you want to start the new season, but Everton are going to be missing some significant names through injury on Saturday afternoon.
The standout name is Jarrad Branthwaite with the central defender having had a turbulent summer.
Branthwaite has been heavily linked with a move away from Everton with the likes of Manchester United lodging some low ball offers over recent weeks.
However, the centre-back is still recovering from the issue which has kept him out all summer.
There is also an issue for Dyche at right-back with both Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson sidelined for the curtain raiser.
Dyche set to hand Tim Iroegbunam Everton debut
Having offloaded Onana earlier this summer, many may have hoped to see another midfielder come into the club in the weeks since.
However, there has been no movement in that department from Everton despite their interest in the now-Ipswich Town midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
But there has been one midfielder in Tim Iroegbunam who has really impressed over the course of pre-season after landing from Villa.
With James Garner also out through injury, there is a hole in the midfield which needs patching and the 21-year-old has certainly earned himself the opportunity this summer.
Iroegbunam was described as ‘outstanding’ in their final friendly against Roma, Everton should be rewarding him with a start.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin keeps his spot upfront
A lot has been made of Everton’s options up top this summer on the back of their dreadful output last season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin could still leave Everton this summer as he plays into the final 12 months of his deal with the club.
Despite this, Calvert-Lewin could still find himself getting the nod by Dyche with questions also being asked of his other options.
Iliman Ndiaye came in over the summer and has looked sharp in pre-season, but whether that is enough to earn the spot from the start is another question.
After all, it was Calvert-Lewin who scored in the last friendly against Roma.
Everton predicted XI vs Brighton: Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, O’Brien, Mykolenko; Harrison, Iroegbunam, Gueye, McNeil; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin
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