View: Allan and DCL to start in 2 changes – Everton predicted XI v Southampton
The adrenaline might just have stopped flowing through Everton by the time they host Southampton at Goodison Park on Monday evening.
After securing a historic victory over Liverpool at Anfield on February 20 the Blues have had to wait nine days for their next fixture.
But we will still be in confident mood as Southampton visit Goodison Park, and the extended break means a number of returning stars could be in line to start, not least Dominic Calvert-Lewin who was only a substitute in the Merseyside Derby.
With a trip to The Hawthorns to face West Brom on Thursday Carlo Ancelotti must weigh up whether to rotate his side.
At Goodison News we have picked our predicted XI to face Southampton…
Jordan Pickford had one of his best games of the season at Anfield and is surely a shoo-in to keep his place despite the rotation in goals.
Yerry Mina missed the Merseyside clash and he will again be absent after Ancelotti ruled him out for a further two weeks.
But the Italian must decide whether to keep the back three of Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate.
Against a Saints side who should be less dominant on the ball than Liverpool and with a creaking defence that has shipped 16 in their last five Premier League games, the Blues should revert to a four and that means Holgate will be sacrificed.
He could be used at right-back but we think Seamus Coleman will retain his place after the long period of rest afforded to him with Holgate likely to return for a more physical battle v Big Sam and co on Thursday, while Lucas Digne should line up on the left.
It could be interesting in the middle of the park, with Allan back from injury after an extended absence.
Ancelotti said that he is “ready to play, for sure, from the beginning” [Liverpool Echo] despite not featuring since December 16.
We think those comments suggest he is primed to start on Monday in a bid to build up his fitness ahead of our FA Cup quarter-final fixture with Manchester City on March 20.
His inclusion could free up more advanced roles for Abdoulaye Doucoure and Tom Davies in the Blues midfield with James Rodriguez and Richarlison shifting from more central positions v Liverpool into their usual wider roles on the right and left, respectively.
That is because Calvert-Lewin is ready to return from the off and lead the Blues forward line after being restricted to a second-half cameo at Anfield.
This means the Blues are set to make two changes with Holgate and Andre Gomes ready to make way for Allan and DCL.
Josh King is still searching for his first start in an Everton shirt but he might have to wait until Thursday to achieve this.
A win would see us lock level on points with our Merseyside rivals with a game in hand.
It would also move us two points behind West Ham who remain in fourth place after losing to Manchester City on Saturday in the race for Champions League qualification.
In other Everton news, our tactical take on how Richarlison can exploit Southampton defence.