Predicted Everton XI vs Brentford… Sean Dyche drops injured 24-year-old and starts £33m player
Everton have been given little to no time for recovery or celebration, as they are straight back into Premier League action today.
Afforded just two days rest from Wednesday’s historic Merseyside derby win, attention must now turn to Brentford, who they will welcome to Goodison Park for their 5:30 pm kick-off.
It promises to be an intriguing affair, with both sides having enjoyed minor upturns in form of late after an otherwise torrid campaign.
Both Sean Dyche and Thomas Frank seem to have a lot of respect for one another, and that could show in their performances as they seek to ‘cement survival‘ in the eyes of Chris Sutton.
Regardless, changes are expected after such a gruelling and intense mid-week performance from the Toffees.
Predicted Everton XI for Premier League match vs Brentford
Dyche is therefore expected to make three alterations from the side that defeated Liverpool on Wednesday.
Jordan Pickford, however, is unlikely to be one of them, having truly shone against the Reds.
He made a string of pivotal saves to maintain their clean sheet, but his night was massively eased due to the dominant performances of Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski, who should both start too.
However, with Vitaliy Mykolenko having left Goodison Park on crutches that night after his half-time substitution, the 24-year-old will likely be replaced.
Given there are simply no other options at either right or left-back, Ben Godfrey and Ashley Young will take up those respective spots.
Due to the huge physical demands placed upon James Garner and Idrissa Gana Gueye just three days ago, it is expected that the two could well drop out for both tactical and physical reasons.
However, in Amadou Onana and Andre Gomes, there is certain to be no dramatic drop-off.
It will also allow them to potentially have more control over a game that will likely see them afforded time in possession.
Both the Portuguese maestro and the £33m former LOSC Lille man are considered to be some of the club’s most progressive players, with Gomes ranking in the top 10% for progressive passes made per 90 when compared to other midfielders across Europe.
Onana, meanwhile, boasts the joint-highest average pass accuracy (85%) within the club.
Unless something dramatic has changed since Wednesday, the front three is unlikely to change either, with Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil hoping to provide more service for the incredible Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The marksman was lauded for what Leon Osman believed to be his best-ever performance for the club on Wednesday, and will be hoping to maintain his scoring form, having notched against the Bees in the reverse fixture.
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