Everton are set to host Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday, April 19. The Toffees look to continue their impressive run under manager David Moyes and mathematically secure their top-flight status. Last Word on Football brings you our Everton predicted lineup for the game that kicks off at 3 pm.
Everton Predicted Lineup To Face Manchester City In The Premier League
How Everton Have Lined Up
With the relegation battle long behind the club, Moyes has opted to rotate the starting lineup. The backline has been the only area untouched in recent games. Jordan Pickford has started every league match, as has centre-back James Tarkowski. Jarrad Branthwaite is the other starting centre-back. For the wing backs Jake O’Brien and Vitaliy Mykolenko finish out the defence that has helped the team to 10 clean sheets this season.
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James Garner returned to the starting lineup last match after being rotated for Tim Iroegbunam against Arsenal two matches ago. Alongside those two has been the ever-consistent Idrissa Gueye at the base of the midfield. Abdoulaye Doucoure starts in the second striker position, often dropping in to be a third central midfielder.
Beto was benched last time out for Armando Broja as the lone striker. Jack Harrison maintained his starting spot on the right wing despite the return of Dwight McNeil/ On the left Iliman Ndiaye continues his great form since returning from injury.
Everton’s Recent Form and Tactics
The 1-0 win in the last match against Nottingham Forest was the Toffees’ first victory in seven matches. But the form under new management has been exceptional. Everton has the sixth-best record since the appointment of Moyes.
Their attack has fallen away, scoring just five goals in the last six matches. Teams have sharpened up to the way Everton attacks using quick and direct balls from turnovers for the striker or wingers to run onto.
Read More: Idrissa Gueye: The Engine Behind Everton’s Turnaround
Against City, they will sit back and soak up the pressure before looking to release Ndiaye out wide. His creativity on the left wing is their best attacking option against teams that will dominate possession.
The 4-2-3-1 formation that is used often turns into a 4-4-2 with Doucoure joining the striker to help press or 5-2-2-1 when deep in defence with O’Brien moving centrally in defence and the right winger slotting into a wing-back role.
Everton Injuries To Consider
In this week’s press conference, Moyes outlined the fitness of the first-team squad. McNeil has returned to injury but is not up to full fitness to start this match. Seamus Coleman has returned from injury but has been omitted from the squad for tactical reasons. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is still working his way back from a hamstring 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: Jack Harrison
ST: Beto
