Everton, fresh from their first win of the new season, will now have their eyes set on maintaining this run into the Premier League.
After all, for all their newfound positivity accrued after crushing Doncaster Rovers in the EFL Cup, they still remain at the foot of the league table, and that has to change soon.
Sean Dyche will be well aware of this, and their desperation to snag that win has been evident in their efforts to secure a few last-minute additions before the window slams shut.
If they are to bring anyone in, it’s unlikely they would start on Saturday, so with that in mind, here’s our predicted XI for the Toffees home clash with AFC Bournemouth.
Predicted Everton XI for Premier League match vs AFC Bournemouth
Having kept his side strong, but made a few key changes on Tuesday night, Dyche is expected to make a further four minor additions to the starting lineup for this weekend.
Naturally, Jordan Pickford will not be one of them, retaining his spot as he always does.
However, he will sit behind arguably the strongest backline of the season, with James Tarkowski expected to return to the starting side far fitter than he was at Tottenham Hotspur.
And, after making his first competitive start on Tuesday, Jake O’Brien will likely make the natural progression towards his first Premier League start alongside him.
Therefore, at last Michael Keane will be dropped, with journalist Richard Buxton having had the 31-year-old pegged for some time.
Although he has not been wholly to blame for all of Everton’s issues this season, his words on the £80k-a-week defender in 2022 still ring true: ‘No matter how much longer Everton persevere with Michael Keane, he’ll continue to cost them an abundance of points each season. A genuine defensive liability.’
Right-back is a debatable position for Dyche, as he can either throw Roman Dixon back in, or trust that Seamus Coleman is fit and ready enough to play again.
History suggests he will opt for the latter, with Vitaliy Mykolenko occupying the left-back spot.
Then, moving into midfield, Tim Iroegbunam has swiftly turned himself into one of the first names on the teamsheet.
He will surely start, but alongside Idrissa Gana Gueye again, with this fixture surely coming just slightly too soon for the returning James Garner.
Abdoulaye Doucoure is another who will likely return to the starting side, as a Dyche favourite, but Iliman Ndiaye will not lose his spot, with the 53-year-old confirming that his versatility and ability to play on the left makes him a really useful asset.
So, the Senegal international will partner Dwight McNeil on the flanks, and hope to provide service for the returning Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front.
Although Beto impressed on Tuesday, starting him again on Saturday might prove too large a workload for a player who has not played much football this season.
However, in the long run, the Portuguese powerhouse will certainly be knocking on the door to usurp his positional rival.
Especially if Calvert-Lewin continues to refuse Everton contracts.
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