Everton (A) - Sun 14th May, 14:00 | Pre-Match Thread

Match Result Prediction

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Ederson

Akanji
Dias
Laporte

Lewis
Rodri 60-70 min, then Gundo
Bernie

Mahrez
Alvarez
Foden

Haaland

Gundo, KDB, Grealish, Walker, Stones from the bench if necessary.
 
balotelli's back pocket said:
Ederson
Walker Dias Akanji
Stones Rodri
Bernardo/Foden Alvarez Foden/Bernardo Grealish
Haaland

De Bruyne and Gundogan will be rested here IMO - they need it, having played 90 minutes twice in 4 days. Both looked leggy last night and will be crucial if we want to beat them next week. Alvarez and Foden come in. Other than that, minimal disruption - this would be such a big win.

Everton showed against Brighton how dangerous they can be in transition - 22% possession, less than half the shots of their opponent, and yet 5 goals from only 5 shots on target (albeit one was an OG). Rather than having Stones come into midfield, he could play with Bernardo sitting next to Rodri and Walker pushing up on the right hand side in possession, more like this:

Ederson
Stones Dias Akanji
Walker Rodri Bernardo Grealish
Alvarez Foden
Haaland

You can also make the argument for Mahrez, but I'd worry about how vulnerable we'd be defensively with him out wide on the right. McNeil is their biggest threat and Mykolenko will look to overlap when they counter, so I'd want either Bernardo or Walker tracking him.
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Walker can't play in this one. We need him for Vinicius and with all due respect to McNeil and Mykolenko it's not quite Vinicius and Camavinga.

I'd be surprised if Everton threw many forwards. If I was Dyche I'd be looking to play on the counter but without committing too many forwards. Calvert-Lewin, McNeil, Iwobi and Doucoure at most. Try and win fouls in the final third then waste some time and throw balls into the box. Win corners, win throw ins etc. Otherwise stays defensive and play for the clean sheet.

A draw in this is huge for them after the win last weekend and their remaining games. I thought the win against Brighton was positive, but actually it means they can play the most negative game of their lives on Sunday. There's no need for them to attack at all.

An early goal to open them up will be vital...and I could be wrong. Maybe they'll go gung-ho for 3pts not worrying too much if they lose it and see it as a freebie. But knowing Dyche I doubt it!
 
lionheart said:
The Arse will definitely get 9 points as they have no distractions. We still have to visit Brentford & Brighton so we need to get 3 points on Sunday.
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Disagree. Arsenal put in their first decent performance for a while at Newcastle when the pressure was off. If we don’t win against Everton suddenly the expectation is back and we’ve seen what they’re like under those circumstances. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a theory I’d like to test. If we win, yeah they’ll close out the season three wins. If we lose, their collywobbles will return, and we’ll have tough fixtures. Throw the cards in the air time, but I’d still back us just based on experience.
 
My first trip to Goodison. Sorry if it’s already been asked, but what’s the best boozer for Blues before the game?
 
Definitely rest Walker, one of Stones/Dias (most likely Stones), KDB, Gundogan and Grealish. I would play Bernardo because I think he won't play the 2nd leg, and maybe Haaland could start.

Ederson
Lewis Dias/Stones Laporte Akanji
Rodri
Bernardo Alvarez
Mahrez Haaland Foden
 
The more i think about this game the more im thinking we might have to take a calculated risk,a bit of a pinch.....use the squad.

---------Ederson----------
Lewis-Akanji-Laporte-Gomez
----------Philips-------
------Bernie---Foden----
Mahrez--Haaland--Alvarez
 
FantasyIreland said:
The more i think about this game the more im thinking we might have to take a calculated risk,a bit of a pinch.....use the squad.

---------Ederson----------
Lewis-Akanji-Laporte-Gomez
----------Philips-------
------Bernie---Foden----
Mahrez--Haaland--Alvarez
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The thought of Phillips starting makes me cringe but Rodri does need a rest, Gomez worries me also.
In saying all that, why have these players at the club if we arent going to use them
 
FantasyIreland said:
Concerns me too,but im of the same thinking regarding the squad and the Real game has to take priority.
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Can't agree mate, if we start prioritising games too much we'll come unstuck and lose tge lot.
Pep sees prem as main target so I think he'll go strong to start and get it done (hopefully).
Players will run on adrenaline from tge crowd Wednesday.
 
M12Blue said:
Can't agree mate, if we start prioritising games too much we'll come unstuck and lose tge lot.
Pep sees prem as main target so I think he'll go strong to start and get it done (hopefully).
Players will run on adrenaline from tge crowd Wednesday.
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I'll go with whatever the boss thinks on this one,but i want the CL more than anything and we have wriggle room in the league.
 
Victorinodennistua said:
Everton fans at work already starting the bullshit saying it’s more important to us staying up than you winning the league again. Everton will take points off City blah blah.
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At this point in the season, I think for every team, it comes down to "what do we have to play for?". Everton have alot to play for. Chelsea, Brentford and Brighton don't have anything to play for. Mid table. Only a desperation chance for Brighton to make European play. But Everton did themselves a HUGE favor in winning on Monday. That takes pressure off them. One more win and they are likely safe. They have Wolves away and Bournemouth home after us.

If we look at who is below them, Leicester have a way tougher road ahead of them (Livarpool, Newcastle and West Ham). Its not any easier for Leeds. Looking above Everton, Forest also have a really tough 3 games in front of them (Chelsea, Arsenal and Palace). So - what do Everton have to play for? Alot. But the road is easier for them if they drop against us.

As far as resting players - Grealish and Bernardo should def sit. Foden and Mahrez start. But then it gets more difficult. Rodri should be doing ice baths and cryonics to preserve him! His trainings should be recovery based because there is no one on the squad to replace him. Gundogan, Dias and Walker should also sit. Alvarez Laporte and Lewis should go in for them. So my lineup would be:

Ederson
Lewis Stones Akanji Laporte
Rodri Alvarez KDB (only 45 min dependent on score)
Mahrez Foden
Haaland

We get 2-3 goals in first 60 min, get KDB Rodri and Haaland off.
 
prestonibbo_mcfc said:
You do realise we can drop 4 points and still win the league on gd. That's assuming arsenal are perfect.
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Yes, I do realise that.

You do realise that if we lose on Sunday and arsenal win then we have zero margin for error going into 3 league games in a week with 2 extremely tricky away games?

Win Sunday and it's pretty much done, fail to win combined with an arsenal win leaves us under pressure. Potentially a 6 point swing at this stage of the season is a big deal, whatever way it might go. It's not really that difficult a concept to comprehend
 
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