View: Allan return and goalkeeper switch in 5 changes – Everton predicted XI v Man City
Everton host Premier League leaders Manchester City at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening on the back of a disappointing loss to relegation-threatened Fulham last weekend.
The Blues failed to turn up as the Cottagers ran out 2-0 victors away from home, leaving many Everton supporters exacerbated after the club had beaten Tottenham 5-4 in their previous fixture.
Carlo Ancelotti will likely have worked his players hard since Sunday’s clash with the ambition to set things right against Pep Guardiola’s side, who have won their previous 11 games on the spin.
At Goodison News we have named our predicted Everton XI to take on Man City on Wednesday…
In goal it appears as though Jordan Pickford will make his return. Ancelotti has stated that the England international will replace Robin Olsen in net so long as he is passed fit to play, and it seems as though that is very possible.
Following a disastrous shake-up of the backline against Fulham that reaped zero rewards, Ancelotti will most likely return to his tried and tested formula. Lucas Digne should remain as the only unchanged player, with the club lacking significant depth at left-back.
Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate started in the middle against Fulham and the pair never looked settled together, so Michael Keane and Yerry Mina will most likely return as the starting centre-back duo.
Seamus Coleman put in a dogged performance against Fulham but he was withdrawn shortly before the hour mark to make way for Holgate’s shift back to right-back, and we expect the former Barnsley man to retain a starting spot in place of the Irishman.
Ancelotti has a number of options to choose from when naming his midfield unit, but with Allan now back fit it seems most likely that the Italian will reintroduce the Brazilian, who has been out injured since mid-December.
Abdoulaye Doucoure has been a constant fixture in Ancelotti’s side this season so he will likely retain his starting spot, with Andre Gomes, Tom Davies and Gylfi Sigurdsson will duke it out for the third place. Though Davies has been impressive as of late, we expect Ancelotti to stick with Sigurdsson, who has rarely been left out since the New Year.
Richarlison will almost certainly retain his starting spot too, though after having just 14 touches across 90 minutes at the weekend, he should return to his more natural wide position.
James Rodriguez will be relied upon to provide a creative spark that can break down Man City’s tough defence, while Josh King could be in line to make his first start and lead the line for the club with Dominic Calvert-Lewin still out.
Everton will face a difficult challenge in taking on Man City, who are arguably one of the most form sides in Europe’s top five leagues at this moment in time.
City will be missing free-scoring midfielder Ilkay Gundogan against the Blues, although they will have Kevin De Bruyne back in contention after the Belgian had spent some time on the sidelines.
All in all, Everton could see as many as five changes from the side that failed to overcome Scott Parker’s side last weekend.
With the Merseyside Derby fast approaching this weekend, Wednesday could be the perfect time for Everton pick up points while also building momentum ahead of the club’s biggest game of the season.
In the meantime though, Everton will take on Man City, and it could be a tricky tie indeed.
In other Everton news, The Liverpool Echo report that Everton’s Director of Football Marcel Brands is close to signing a contract extension with the club.