After a disappointing loss to Luton Town in the FA Cup, Everton head to Craven Cottage to face Fulham in the league. The Toffees currently stand one point outside the relegation zone. The quick turnaround creates potential selection issues due to a slim squad. The game kicks off at 7:45pm on Tuesday, January 30.
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How Everton Have Lined Up Recently
Manager Sean Dyche has favoured a 4-2-3-1 for most of the season. Last game against Luton, a 2-1 defeat at home, he deployed a 4-4-2 with strikers Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto both starting. This is something new for the team, but the absence of Abdoulaye Doucoure has forced some changes to the lineup.
Jordan Pickford has started in the net in every game of the Premier League season. Wing backs Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko started alongside James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite in the centre of defence last time out.
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James Garner and Amadou Onana are the only fit first-choice midfielders available for selection. The pair have started the last five matches together and will continue to do so.
Wingers Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil are some of the first names on the team sheet as their partnership has been key throughout the campaign. The duo has provided seven of Everton’s twelve assists in the premier league this term.
Everton’s Recent Form and Tactics
The Toffees only league game in the new year was a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa. Three consecutive losses left the team deflated at the end of 2023 and the draw could help turn the tide. The defeat to Luton in the FA Cup allows the focus to shift to the league where Everton is fighting relegation, due to a points deduction.
Fulham are missing the Nigerian pair of Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey while they play at AFCON. The two are first-choice players for former Toffee manager Marco Silva. Dyche may opt to attack the weakened core of The Cottagers by selecting his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, although a lack of options for the third midfielder may lead to 4-4-2 once again being deployed.
Going forward has become an issue in recent times, only scoring two goals in their previous five games in all competitions. Harrison is the only player available for selection that has scored since December 19.
Everton’s Injuries to Consider
The midfield options are slim at Goodison Park. Idrissa Gana Gueye is away at AFCON with Senegal, while Andre Gomes is still recovering from a calf injury. Top goalscorer Abdoulaye Doucoure is still a major out amid the team’s scoring troubles.
Club captain Seamus Coleman is confirmed to be out and his wingback counterpart Ashley Young is doubtful. Dyche stressed that due to injury buildups a cautious approach will be taken for returning players in this week’s press conference.
Everton’s Predicted Line Up
GK: Jordan Pickford
RB: Nathan Patterson
CB: James Tarkowski
CB: Jarrad Branthwaite
LB: Vitaliy Mykolenko
CM: Amadou Onana
CM: James Garner
CAM: Jack Harrison
LM: Dwight Mcniel
RM: Arnaut Danjuma
ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
