View: Everton predicted XI vs Newcastle
Frank Lampard needs to change something when Everton host Newcastle United on Thursday night in the Premier League, so expect changes in the lineup.
The Toffees suffered another defeat against Wolves on Sunday, meaning they are now only outside of the relegation zone on goal difference.
But with changes needed, this is a chance for the manager to take a risk and go back to a system he knows well which would require some personnel changes for the game.
One man that won’t lose his place is goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who is the undisputed number one at Goodison Park.
In defence, Jonjoe Kenny will not be available after his red card against Wolves which should open up the opportunity for Lampard to switch to a back four.
Captain Seamus Coleman will start at right-back once again, despite a host of lacklustre performances over recent weeks. Michael Keane was unavailable on Sunday and Lampard is likely to continue with Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate in the centre.
January signing Vitaliy Mykolenko should get a run in his preferred role at left-back with Kenny suspended, and he has looked impressive despite the team’s poor results.
Midfield is where the biggest changes are needed, and Lampard should look to switch the shape.
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Donny Van de Beek will keep their places in a deeper role but the Toffees should look to bring in January signing Dele Alli in the number ten role.
Dele hasn’t been given a chance to make an impact yet, but with a rare start he could provide the attacking spark the Blues have been missing in recent weeks.
Anthony Gordon has been the stand-out performer since Lampard’s arrival at the club and has made the right-wing position his own, so will rightly continue from the start.
Richarlison was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet against Wolves but his performance was good and he should move back out to the left wing, to accommodate the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who should have recovered from illness by then.
Predicted Everton XI: Pickford; Coleman, Holgate, Godfrey, Mykolenko; Doucoure, Van de Beek; Gordon, Dele, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin
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