Everton return to Premier League action following the 2022 World Cup at home to Wolves on Boxing Day. So, HITC Football has predicted what Frank Lampard’s XI will look like.
The Toffees are in desperate need of a strong start to the second half of the season having laboured for results so far. Lampard’s side entered the pause in top-flight fixtures just 17th in the table. They had only won three of their 15 league matches played so far this season.
- WORLD CUP: LIVERPOOL AND TOTTENHAM TARGET IS AMONG THE TOP 10 DEFENDERS
- WORLD CUP: TOTTENHAM DUO AND AN ARSENAL TARGET ARE IN THE TOP 10 STRIKERS
Only Wolves (8) have scored fewer goals than Everton (11) so far this term, as well. They will now travel to Goodison Park on Boxing Day at the bottom of the table and four points from safety. But Julen Lopetegui’s side could meet a depleted Toffees unit once on Merseyside.
Lampard has confirmed that it is ‘going to be tight’ for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to make the Everton XI against Wolves. The striker is recovering from a knee injury but Lampard hopes to make a late call on his involvement. Although he will also be without Andros Townsend.
The forward has suffered a setback in his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury. While James Garner remains in the Finch Farm treatment room with Townsend. The Blues’ £15m summer signing from Manchester United is still recovering from a back injury.
Frank Lampard makes two changes in our predicted Everton XI vs Wolves
Townsend and Garner are the only Everton players that Lampard has confirmed will not be in the XI against Wolves through injury. But it is likely that the Toffees boss will opt against risking Calvert-Lewin on Boxing Day given the forward’s fitness issues during the past year.
So, HITC Football has predicted that Neal Maupay will retain his role at striker from the last Everton XI that Lampard used for a Premier League game when Wolves visit Goodison. The Toffees were last in top-flight action on November 12 in a 3-0 defeat at AFC Bournemouth.
But Lampard is unlikely to make wholesale changes to his XI when Everton take on Wolves. The Blues lost at the Cherries with near enough their full-strength line-up as Calvert-Lewin was, arguably, the only absentee. Although Anthony Gordon only featured from the bench.
HITC Football has predicted that Lampard will now recall Gordon to the Everton XI at home to Wolves. The 21-year-old is the Toffees’ top-scorer in the Premier League so far this term with three goals. Only Dwight McNeil (2) has also hit the back of the net more than once.
Demarai Gray should make way on the left for Gordon to return to the line-up with McNeil playing from the right. But Lampard should field a mostly unchanged defence with Nathan Patterson, James Tarkowski and Vitalii Mykolenko in front of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
But Lampard will be without Conor Coady with the defender on loan from Wolves. So, the Blues coach is likely to recall Michael Keane in their defence. Alex Iwobi, Idrissa Gueye and Amadou Onana will also expect to keep starting roles in Everton’s midfield against Wolves.
HITC Football’s predicted Everton XI vs Wolves: Pickford (GK); Patterson, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Iwobi, Gueye, Onana; McNeil, Maupay, Gordon
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
