Everton are set to face Nottingham Forest away on Saturday, April 12. It’s their third match of a tough set of fixtures this month having already played Liverpool and Arsenal in the last 10 days. Last Word on Football brings you our Everton predicted lineup for the match that kicks off at 3 pm.
Everton Predicted Lineup To Face Nottingham Forest
How Everton Have Lined Up
After a three-day rest between fixtures, David Moyes opted to rotate the Everton starting lineup for the first time in three games. Injuries also played a factor with Iliman Ndiaye returning to full fitness and Vitaliy Mykolenko being left out of the squad. Mykolenko was replaced by Nathan Patterson who played on his non-preferred side of the defence.
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The rest of the defence remained the same, Jordan Pickford has started every match this season as has centre-back James Tarkowski. Alongside Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite starts when fit, the pair helping the team to nine clean sheets this season. Jake O’Brien has been turned into a makeshift right-back under Moyes.
In the midfield, James Garner was replaced by Tim Iroegbunam last match against Arsenal. Alongside them in the double pivot at the base of the midfield has been Idrissa Gueye. Ndiaye returned to the starting lineup on the left wing, pushing Jack Harrison to the right. Guinea Bissau striker Beto has started consistently over the last two months with Abdoulaye Doucoure playing in behind him.
Everton’s Recent Form and Tactics
Everton have only lost once in their previous 11 Premier League games, with their only loss coming to league leaders and cross-town rivals Liverpool. Their 1-1 draw against Arsenal last game saw them have just 29% possession, a common theme in games against top teams.
While Forest is flying high they are a team that relies on counterattacks, even more so than Everton. Both teams sit at the bottom of the league for average possession, this game will be end to end with neither team wanting to sit in with the ball for too long.
Read More: David Moyes’ Everton Revival: Key Changes Behind Recent Success
The return of Ndiaye is crucial to the Toffees creativity going forward. His ability to draw in players often creates opportunities for others going forward. Going forward the Senegalese international often plays as an inside forward off the shoulder of the striker.
Defensively Everton looks to make teams go out wide to force them to cross into their central defenders who are more than capable in the air. It might not be as effective in this match as they come up against Chris Wood who himself is great aerially.
Everton Injuries To Consider
In this week’s press conference, Moyes confirmed the fitness the squad. Everton have had an influx of returning players, Dwight McNeil being the latest. He featured on the bench in the last match and is returning to full fitness. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is still sidelined by a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the squad for 11 games. Jesper Lindstrom will likely miss most of the season after getting surgery on a groin injury.
Everton’s Predicted Lineup
GK: Jordan Pickford
RB: Jake O’Brien
CB: Jarrad Branthwaite
CB: James Tarkowski
LB: Vitaliy Mykolenko
CM: James Garner
CM: Idrissa Gueye
CAM: Abdoulaye Doucoure
LM: Iliman Ndiaye
RM: Carlos Alcaraz
ST: Beto
