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

[MadchesterCity]

Akanji on the right and Gundo for Stones.

Yes I agree, Dias was meant to be in midfield, if Gundogan is available I’m happy with that, he took a good kicking versus Madrid first leg though.

Gundogan to start against Madrid isn’t essential, Foden or Lavarez could both start for me

—————Haaland
Foden—Alvarez—Mahrez
———Lewis—Gundogan
Laporte—Dias——Akanji
—————Ortega

Plenty strong enough and Ederson, Stones, Walker, Rodri, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Grealish all rested.

 

[alexmcity]

Yeah, but you've made those possible win percentages up.
70% with 4-5 changes? More like 50% (I've made that up too ;)

No, percentages are pretty reasonable.

Mahrez, Foden and Alvarez have scored much more goals than Grealish, Bernie and KDB this season. It's not like they aren't brilliant players. For instance, Alvarez was our best player at Fulham and the likes of Foden and Mahrez can be on their day as good as Grealish and Bernie, or even better. It's not like we are replacing Grealish and KDB with youngsters...

 

[SWPISHOME]

I think Lewis, Laporte, Foden, Mahrez and Alvarez will all start on Sunday. Haven't a clue who will be rested though.

 

[sir baconface]

In its own way I expect this fixture to be as tricky as last week’s Madrid game. And just as much a challenge for Pep and co.

Everton will be well up for it and we simply can’t field a full strength side given the fixture list.

Need a ballsy, coordinated effort from the squad players to keep up league momentum.

Pep’s gonna have to really lift them.

 

[BringBackSwales]

I can see Foden and Alvarez starting too.

I missed one, now edited! I was tired mate

 

[Gray]

Yeah, but you've made those possible win percentages up.
70% with 4-5 changes? More like 50% (I've made that up too ;)

Everton might bring out their secret weapon that dirty little twat Tom Davies.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Possibly Foden coming in?

Now edited mate, quoted 3 only mentioned 2, tired and emotional

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

I think draw. We've obviously got too many games to handle and the PL aren't going to do anything about it.

Peps going to have to manage that and i think we will see a diluted team for this game.

Squeaky bum time.

 

[Deepest Blue]

Sneaky feeling Rodri will sit this one out and Stones will play his hybrid RB/DM role alongside....Bernardo.
Bernie is on a yellow in CLSF so maybe he'll start that one on the bench with Mahrez or Foden wide right on Wednesday.

 

[richards30]

The master losing the title to the apprentice is unthinkable imo and i reckon goes stronger than some think as the league is always the top priority! I would also like to NOT go to the last game of the season to have to win against Brentford!

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Now edited mate, quoted 3 only mentioned 2, tired and emotional

Ah, brings back the favourite newspaper phrases of the sixties…

 

[The Future’s Blue!]

One game at a time, the next one is always the most important. That’s Pep’s philosophy and I trust he will treat Everton in the same manner.

 

[alexmcity]

One game at a time, the next one is always the most important. That’s Pep’s philosophy and I trust he will treat Everton in the same manner.

Guess we have planned lineups for Real and even Chelsea. One game at a time is a great principle, but it's also professional to manage the squad so that we are in top condition for the next games.

Given we had several high quality players on the bench vs Real, we'll have to use them. Not only because they are fresh both physically and mentally, but because they should feel like genuine members of the first team. Otherwise, they won't be ready when we need them due to lack of rhythm, plus squad harmony may suffer. This holds particularly of Foden, Mahrez and Alvarez, and to a lesser extent of Laporte and Lewis.

Read yesterday about the Leeds quest for the Treble in 69/70. They fell apart in the last 6 weeks due to injuries and fatigue. Rotation is vital: to not run in the ground the star players, to keep the squad players in form and motivated, to maintain squad harmony, etc.

 

[Withnail]

The master losing the title to the apprentice is unthinkable imo and i reckon goes stronger than some think as the league is always the top priority! I would also like to NOT go to the last game of the season to have to win against Brentford!

Not the ideal scenario having to win at Brentford, but I would still fancy this team to get the 3 points when it matters if required.

 

[schfc6]

I don’t think we’ll see that many changes. Pep will want the height and strength of the likes of Rodri, Dias, Stones and the commanding presence of Ederson.

I think we could see

Akanji
Dias
Laporte

Stones
Rodri

Mahrez
Foden

Alvarez
Haaland.

 

[cupsforcockups]

Don’t put that side out we only have 10 men

 

[richards30]

Ederson
Lewis
Akanji
Dias
Ake
Rodri
Bernardo
De Bruyne
Foden
Alvarez
Haaland

 

[skillman]

Nervous for this one. They’re shite but they’re coming off the back of a big result, at home and fighting for their lives. It doesn’t take much for their fans to get on their back, though, so we need to use that to our advantage.

Ederson

Walker
Stones
Dias
Akanji

Bernie
Rodri
Kev

Foden
Haaland
Grealish

 

[Mr Blue Moon]

Ok we’re in the business end of the season. The squad have potentially 7 more games to make history. That should fire everyone up for each of the remaining games.
We have a bit of wiggle room in the league but I hope we get a win, no matter how ugly, just to keep the momentum. Also no more injuries please!

 

[Cricket Blue]

Bloody Scousers and their shitty song contest.

What's Bucks Fizz doing these days?