Predicted Everton XI v Leeds United
Rafa Benitez could make two changes from last weekend’s win over Southampton for the Everton versus Leeds United clash on Saturday.
Despite going a goal behind at Goodison Park, Everton motored to a 3-1 win over the Saints to get Benitez off to a flying start as the new Blues boss.
He handed debuts to wingers Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray for that encounter, but we think the one may drop out for the trip to Elland Road this weekend.
Starting with the defence, Jordan Pickford will be protected by full-backs Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne.
Those positions are assured, but there is less certainty over the centre-backs.
There has been a COVID-19 outbreak among the Everton squad recently, and that looked to have shorn us of Ben Godfrey’s services for last Saturday’s victory.
Benitez confirmed in his press conference on Friday morning [Everton YouTube] that the “same names” are still absent apart from Moise Kean who can rejoin the group and may feature on the bench as a result.
Godfrey’s absence means it’s a straight shoot-out between Michael Keane, Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina for the two centre-back slots, and after the former two struggled against Southampton’s high-press last week, we think the Colombian may come in for one of them as he is clearly a better option than both.
Holgate’s extra pace against an intense Leeds attack may see him get the nod ahead of Keane.
We saw a variation of a 4-2-3-1 against Southampton, though Benitez showed his tactical flexibility by switching to a 4-4-2 at times.
Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure anchored the midfield, though the latter had more opportunity to press on and show his attacking qualities, as he did for his goal.
Both are certain of their places against Leeds, but the normally cautious Benitez may decide to throw an extra central midfielder alongside them.
Tom Davies and Fabian Delph are the main contenders for that third slot, but the 23-year-old should win that battle as his extra energy could be vital against an unrelenting Leeds midfield trio of Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich and Stuart Dallas.
That’s why we think Benitez may opt to match their midfield three, particularly playing at a raucous Elland Road that has not seen a full stadium for nearly 18 months.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison will start in attack, injuries permitting, which means an unfortunate snub for one of the Blues new boys in Gray and Townsend.
Neither really deserves to be dropped, but Benitez is a tactician and he will do what he thinks is best to nullify the opposition.
We think Gray may be sacrificed from the beginning, but his pace and trickery will be vital off the bench in the second half.
Here’s how we expect the Blues to line up at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon…
In other Everton news, the Blues are in talks to sign this title-winning forward, bid lined up for Anfield equaliser hero.
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