Everton take on Manchester United in the Premier League at Goodison Park this evening, with the Toffees looking to maintain their current unbeaten run, having gone without defeat for six top-flight games running – their best run since late 2017.
The Merseysiders head into today’s meeting with a solid record against the Red Devils in recent times, having won one and drawn two of the two side’s last three encounters, notably winning on home soil under current boss Frank Lampard back in April.
The former England international will be hoping to steer his side to three successive league wins for the first time since March 2021 – during Carlo Ancelotti’s time in charge – having edged past West Ham United and Southampton in recent weeks.
Ahead of tonight’s mouthwatering clash with the Old Trafford outfit, here’s how the Football FanCast believes that the home side will line up…
Everton have received a major boost ahead of the match, with Lampard revealing on Friday that Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in “contention” to feature against Erik ten Hag’s side, with the Englishman having been absent so far this term due to injury.
The former Chelsea boss also confirmed, however, that while Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate have returned to training this week, tonight’s clash will likely come too soon for the pair, with long-term absentees Andros Townsend, Ben Godfrey and Nathan Patterson all still sidelined.
With that in mind, we predict that there will be just two alterations from the side that clinched a 2-1 win over the Saints last weekend, with the impressive defensive unit – which has conceded a league-high tally of just seven league goals – set to remain in place.
One potential change could come in midfield with summer signing James Garner slotting in alongside Idrissa Gueye and Alex Iwobi in the centre of the park, with the 21-year-old – who is yet to feature this season – now “ready to go” ahead of facing his former club, in the words of his manager.
In attack, the only further change could well see the aforementioned Calvert-Lewin lead the line alongside Dwight McNeil and Demarai Gray, with the imposing forward boasting an impressive record against the Red Devils with two goals and two assists to date.
The 25-year-old’s return to action could well see £15m acquisition Neal Maupay drop to the bench, despite the Frenchman having added a “clinical” edge to the side – in the words of Lampard – after scoring the winner against the Hammers prior to the recent international break.