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View: Predicted Everton starting XI v West Ham
Everton are set to face Champions League-chasing West Ham at the London Stadium this afternoon in a crucial Premier League tie.
The Toffees have won just once in their last seven Premier League games and will be desperate to keep their European hopes alive against the Hammers.
David Moyes’ men however will want to remain within touching distance of fourth place Chelsea, in the process cementing their position in some form of European competition ahead of next season.
At Goodison News, we have named our predicted Everton XI to take on West Ham this afternoon…
Jordan Pickford has been a shining light over the past few months, having seemingly turned a corner after having struggled with inconsistent form in recent times, and he’ll certainly keep Robin Olsen out of the line-up.
Seamus Coleman has been one of Everton’s most consistent figures since returning to the starting line-up so he’ll start on the right of defence while Lucas Digne sits unopposed on the left.
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Carlo Ancelotti will have a decision to make in the centre, and we think he’ll choose Ben Godfrey, due to his recent run of form and Michael Keane, because he was left out for Mason Holgate against Aston Villa. Holgate had a game to forget then.
Allan is likely to remain at the base of midfield for Everton after having turned in a number of influential performances recently, while Tom Davies will unfortunately be forced to remain on the bench once again.
Gylfi Sigurdsson has been a favourite of Ancelotti’s so he’ll likely start in midfield alongside the returning Abdoulaye Doucoure, who the Italian has announced is fit to play.
Convention would suggest that Andre Gomes could start with Doucoure coming on later in the game as Ancelotti looks to manage his fitness, but the former Watford man has been a crucial player under Ancelotti and his energy will be needed in this vital clash from the off.
Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin will start on the left and through the middle respectively, that much is clear, but who Ancelotti chooses to play on the right could be up for debate with James Rodriguez ruled out.
Ancelotti could move Sigurdsson forward and hand Andre Gomes a start, or he could choose between Alex Iwobi and Bernard. He could also push Coleman forward and start Mason Holgate at the back; he has many options.
We think he’ll go with Iwobi, with the former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid boss seemingly desperate to coax the ability out of the Nigeria international. Hopefully we’ll see him at his tricky best against a resolute Hammers side.
Ancelotti has underscored the importance of getting a result against West Ham this weekend, with Everton’s European hopes hanging in the balance, with only a positive result offering the club a chance to take the step up.
In other Everton news, ‘Big one’ – Ex-Blues pundit backs record-breaking striker for Goodison Park move amid bid claims.
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