Demarai Gray to be axed, Amadou Onana and Ben Godfrey to return – Everton predicted XI v Newcastle United
Sean Dyche is likely to make some changes to his Everton starting lineup for the Premier League clash against Newcastle on Thursday night (27 April).
The Toffees are winless in their last five games and currently sit in the relegation zone on goal difference with six games to go.
But as they prepare to host the high-flying Magpies at Goodison Park in what many consider to be a must-win game, Dyche has got some big decisions to make with his team selection.
Jordan Pickford will undoubtedly continue in goal after his clean sheet against Crystal Palace, with Everton’s best chance of Premier League survival coming with him between the sticks.
In defence Seamus Coleman is unlikely to be fit enough to return from his hamstring injury, while Mason Holgate is suspended following his red card. That should open the door to Ben Godfrey’s return to the starting lineup, although Nathan Patterson remains an option too.
James Tarkowski and Michael Keane are the first-choice central defensive pairing and thus should keep their spot in the side, while Vitalii Mykolenko is likely to continue at left-back.
In midfield Idrissa Gueye will continue in the holding midfield role, while Abdoulaye Doucoure should return after serving his three-game ban. But Amadou Onana could also come back into the side following an injury, with Dyche sharing that he is making good progress in recent days.
In attack the team has lacked balance since Alex Iwobi moved into a more central role in recent weeks, so the Nigerian is likely to return to his winger position for this game on the right.
Dwight McNeil has been in good form since Dyche’s arrival at the club, which should see him keep his place in the side on the left-wing for his work-rate and goal threat that has developed in recent weeks.
Up front there is a decision to make, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin managing 90 minutes on Saturday in his first outing for several months.
Dyche must now decide whether to field him again so soon afterward, but the likelihood is that he will get the nod ahead of Demarai Gray because of how important three points is in this game for Everton.