Everton (A) | Pre-Match Thread

[Sir peace frog]

were in a good state, we play our way so nothing changes, obviously we will be aware of the oppositions strengths and work on that, besides that its same again, other teams have to swap and change their systems and at the moment there isnt alot of time to work on something that will snuff city's dangers out imo, we will stick to the system players will come in and they will know where to be and when, quite confident especially without fans ,goodison can be a bear pit at times , going for 2-0 , but a comfortable 2-0

 

[Didsbury Dave]

This run will end soon. We are well due some bad luck, a sending off, a bad decision, a freak result. I can see it coming tonight or Sunday. To be honest we can afford it.

 

[pavelsrnicek]

Calvert Lewin is a big loss for them as he has a decent record against us. Josh King will probably come in who is an ok replacement. He played well against us for Bournemouth in the 2-1 a few seasons ago but has only just signed.

I think they will target us at set pieces. Mina terrorised us in the same fixture last season and between Sigurdsson’s delivery and the likes of Mina, Keane, Godfrey and King they’ll be a threat.

Hopefully Dias returns tonight, wouldn’t be surprised to see Laporte at left back either. I think Walker will get a chance against Arsenal but Cancelo should start at right back. However plays on the right wing will have a decent battle with Digne who has been very good this season.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Expecting a tough game. Gundogan will be a big miss. I think we'd be better to have Phil in there making those late runs into the box and bringing Mahrez in personally.

I'm a bit concerned about how De Bruyne gets into this side and keeps us playing in the same way. Bernardo has been very good at keeping the ball moving, quite simply. Dropping deep and running the game and then finding little pockets to play give and go pass and move football. Gundogan has been a master at doing what Lampard used to at Chelsea and basically making a very timely move into space to put the ball into the net.

De Bruyne is much more spontaneous in how he plays. He can keep the ball ticking along but he'll look to play those ludicrous passes and he'll drive forwards at pace with the ball. If he is fit enough to play it would be nice to see Pep just reiterate to him that we don't need to run with the ball so much and to tone that side of his game down and just look to thread the simple passes through. He can still peel off wide right and play those crosses and Bernardo can maybe pick up Gundogan's role.

Anyway all thoughts for games beyond this potentially.

De Bruyne can get into the team as the false 9. The Rodri - Bernardo - Gundogan midfield is too well balanced to disturb. Though it will have to be at various times due to rotation. And then KDB steps into midfield.

 

[Scottish Cityzen]

I expect Mahrez to come in wide right, leaving Phil to play in midfield with Bernie and Rodri. Certainly if Jesus starts up top.

Just read a stat that Jesus has scored in his last 5 games against Everton (7 goals in total), I think Pep will start him tonight!

Wouldn’t be surprised if Mahrez plays too though, he’s had a few decent games against them.

 

[Chi-town blues]

Interesting conspiracy theory. Do you believe Elvis died and man went to the moon?

No but what about flat earth ?

 

[Manchester33]

Regardless of what happens tonight, our squad seems so solid compared to 12 months ago.

We could line up tonight with:

Ederson
Cancelo
Stones
Dias
Zinchenko
Rodri
Bernardo
Foden
Sterling
Mahrez
Jesus

Our second XI Could potentially win the league:

Steffan
Walker
Ake
Laporte
Mendy
Fernandinho
Gundogan
Doyle
KDB
Torres
Aguero

Imagine if everyone was fully fit?

 

[Chi-town blues]

This run will end soon. We are well due some bad luck, a sending off, a bad decision, a freak result. I can see it coming tonight or Sunday. To be honest we can afford it.

boooooooooo



mancini ohhh mancini ooohh ;)

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

This run will end soon. We are well due some bad luck, a sending off, a bad decision, a freak result. I can see it coming tonight or Sunday. To be honest we can afford it.

I agree, fear tonight or Sunday will see some sort of points dropped.

Everton did seem to struggle from corners/set pieces last midweek against Spurs?

Can see Dias or Stones hopefully making the difference there and getting a goal.

 

[SidJames]

Apologies if it has already been confirmed a few pages back.

Have been busy with work.

Is it 100% confirmed Gundogan is out ?

Will be a big miss.