Everton head south to face Brighton on Saturday, February 24. In this fixture last season, the Toffees pulled off an unlikely 5-1 victory that was the catalyst to their survival from relegation. They hope to repeat that performance against a Seagulls team contending for a European spot. Last Word on Football provides you with our Everton predicted lineup for the match that kicks off at 3 pm.
Everton Predicted Lineup To Face Brighton
How Everton Have Lined Up Recently
Last game against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park, Everton lined up with a team that was as close to a first-choice selection as they have had all season. Jordan Pickford has been a stalwart in the net this season, earning himself eight clean sheets in the process.
The centre of defence is James Tarkowsi and Jarrad Branthwaite, a duo critical to the team conceding just 33 goals this season. Alongside them, Vitaliy Mykolenko put in another solid performance down the left flank. Ben Godfrey has started on the right of defence amid an injury and illness to club captain Seamus Coleman.
James Garner and Idrissa Gana Geuye have been the go-to choices in the centre of midfield since the latter rejoined the squad from AFCON. Dwight McNeil has made the left wing his own and continues to be one of Everton’s players of the season.
The other wing has seen some rotation, Ashley Young has started the previous two games while Jack Harrison, who has started most of the season there, has had a stint in the centre of midfield and as a sub.
The return of Abdoulaye Doucoure last game was a massive boost for manager Sean Dyche’s lineup. The Malian midfielder returned to his second striker position behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin who is the teams first choice striker
Everton Recent Form and Tactics
The Toffees haven’t won a league game since December 16, despite this they have climbed out of the relegation zone thanks to a draw against Palace last time out. Dyche lined the team up in his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation and Doucoure played his favourite role behind the striker. This addition could be crucial to Everton’s ability to get a result from this match-up.
The former Watford player leads the team with six goals in the premier league this season, excelling at playing off the deflections from Calvert-Lewin and late runs into the box. Additionally, his ability to press will be key to the game plan against Brighton.
Everton ranks fifth in creating turnovers in their attacking third, and they face a team that leads the league in touches inside their defensive third. This will be something that Dyche will likely try to exploit and hinder a vital part of the Seagull’s game plan.
Everton Injuries to Consider
In this week’s press conference, Dyche updated the squad’s fitness heading into Saturday’s game.
Ukrainian left-back Mykolenko received a knock last match but is training. The club are hopeful he will be able to retain his starting role. Coleman is still recovering from an illness that kept him out of the previous matchday squad and may be available come matchday. Doucoure’s minutes were managed upon his return to the starting lineup but he is fully fit for this match.
Everton Predicted Lineup
GK: Jordan Pickford
RB: Seamus Coleman
CB: James Tarkowski
CB: Jarrad Branthwaite
LB: Vitaliy Mykolenko
CM: James Garner
CM: Idrissa Gueye
CAM: Abdoulaye Doucoure
LM: Dwight McNeil
RM: Jack Harrison
ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
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