At last, the Premier League is back, with Saturday marking the return to action for Everton as they host Brighton and Hove Albion.
It is always a tricky task facing the Seagulls, and given they have invested heavily across the summer, any fears are well-justified.
However, with a new manager, there is an element of uncertainty which Sean Dyche will hope to capitalise on in front of a roaring home crowd.
This will be the Toffees’ final season at Goodison Park, and thus every home game will be welcomed with passion and fury in equal measure.
With that in mind, the manager has to get team selection right to ensure that momentum around the ground is not lost.
Here’s the XI we’re predicting Dyche to go with for Saturday’s 3 pm kick-off.
Predicted Everton XI for Premier League match vs Brighton
Going into this clash, Dyche revealed that the Toffees would be without a whole host of stars including Jarrad Branthwaite and Seamus Coleman, both missing through injury.
That will likely impact his thinking throughout.
Jordan Pickford is one, just like the aforementioned defender, who is a guaranteed starter when fit.
He remains the first name on the team sheet, and will sit behind a back four expected to include Ashley Young and Vitaliy Mykolenko in the full-back spots.
James Tarkowski will partner Jake O’Brien at the back, with the Republic of Ireland international the first of four new signings who will be making their debuts on Saturday.
Another is Tim Iroegbunam, who has been ever-present throughout pre-season. He will start beside Idrissa Gana Gueye following his remarkable end to the last Premier League campaign.
The latest debutant should be Iliman Ndiaye, who won the affections of the fanbase with his blistering cameo against AS Roma last weekend.
Should he start, he will displace Dyche’s £20m mainstay Abdoulaye Doucoure, who has been a key cog in Everton’s system ever since the former Burnley man was appointed.
Flanking this new attacking midfielder will be Dwight McNeil, whilst Jesper Lindstrom could earn a debut too, rounding off the new faces in the lineup.
They will seek to supply Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has two goals in as many games to round off pre-season.
Speculation persists over Calvert-Lewin’s Everton future, but even with the Englishman refusing to sign a new deal, he remains their star striker.
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