Predicted Everton XI for Salford: Seven changes from weekend masterclass

Follow us on Google Discover

Everton got their season off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.

Next up, they host Salford City in the EFL Cup in what will be the Toffees’ first home game of the season.

We’ve tried to predict the starting 11 Carlo Ancelotti will send out against the League Two club, who are of course owned by the Class of ’92.

Jordan Pickford played in the cup competitions last season so we’ve got him between the sticks as one of four players who played on Sunday we expect to start here.

Lucas Digne and Michael Keane are another two, and Jarred Branthwaite could get another chance to impress after catching the eye towards the end of last season.

Perhaps Jonjoe Kenny being interviewed by the club’s official website about the match indicates he’ll start at right back.

“Salford are a good team and it’s going to be a difficult game. We know what Salford are good at. It’s about us being as professional as possible and making sure we stay on top of our game,” Kenny said.

“It’s a cup we want to go out to try to win. That’s what dreams are made of. As a young lad, that’s what you want to do. To bring a trophy back to Goodison, for the whole team, the staff and the fans, it would be massive.

Allan made such a difference to Everton’s midfield at Tottenham – nobody else can do what he can – so we’ve got him starting here.

Ahead of him, Ancelotti could ring the changes. Gylfi Sigurdsson and Tom Davies will want a start in central midfield, with their league opportunities looking slim on the back of Abdoulaye Doucoure’s weekend masterclass.

Perhaps Ancelotti will want to give his first choice front three a chance to gel further, but we think it’s more likely they’ll get a night off.

Academy graduate Anthony Gordon should get a game, with 2019 arrivals Moise Kean and Alex Iwobi also handed a chance to impress.

Ancelotti’s first choice eleven made a real statement on Sunday. Now it’s time for the Italian to see if his backup players can respond in kind.