How will Sam Allardyce’s Everton lineup as they face the league leaders Manchester City?
Everton were unfortunate to lose Tom Davies and Idrissa Gueye to injuries during the international break, with the Englishman picking up a knock to his neck, whilst the Senegalese midfielder will miss the game due to a thigh strain.
The duo join Gylfi Sigurddson, Mason Holgate, James McCarthy and Eliaquim Mangala on the sidelines, whilst Ashley Williams will miss the game through suspension due to a red card.
The Toffees currently sit ninth in the table, and have done well to salvage their season since dropping into 18th place around the 10 game mark in the league. However, it cannot be denied that this term has been a disappointment all round for the Goodison Park club.
Allardyce and co have a real task on their hands as they go about attempting to dismantle Pep Guardiola’s rampant Manchester City side who have all but officially been named champions. However, the Toffees can definitely take confidence from the fact that they managed a draw against City at the Etihad earlier on in the season, thanks to a first half Wayne Rooney strike in a fiery affair that saw a man from either side get sent off.
England world cup hopeful Jordan Pickford will lineup in goal, whilst the back four of Leighton Baines, Michael Keane, Phil Jagielka and Seamus Coleman, who have looked solid in recent week, will start as usual, with the all English centre-half pairing looking to build on their partnership which has blossomed during the last couple of victories.
Given the injuries to Davies and Gueye, the former Manchester United pair of Morgan Schneiderlin and Wayne Rooney will likely get the nod in centre of midfield, with Dutchman Davy Klaassen, who has been a rare feature this season, could start in the slightly advanced number 10 role.
England hopeful Theo Walcott will be hoping to make a return to the team on the left wing, whilst former Crystal Palace ace Yannick Bolasie should start on the opposite flank.
Finally, up front, hoping to continue his impressive goal scoring form, January arrival Cenk Tosun will resume his position at centre forward, looking to build upon his record of four goals in seven appearances for the club so far.
Here is the predicted 4-2-3-1 lineup to face Man City…
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