Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Seamus Coleman to start, Ashley Young axed – Predicted Everton XI v Newcastle United
Sean Dyche could be set to make two changes to his Everton starting lineup for the big Premier League clash with Newcastle on Thursday.
The Toffees earned a hard-fought three points with a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the weekend thanks to Dwight McNeil’s fine strike to help in their battle against relegation after a ten point deduction.
But with a quick turnaround between games this week with the Magpies on Thursday and then Chelsea on Sunday, Dyche may be tempted to make changes to his side to freshen things up.
Jordan Pickford is one man who is not in danger of being rotated out of the team and he will start between the sticks once more.
In defence Vitalii Mykolenko’s form has been excellent in recent weeks at left-back and he should continue there, while James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite’s partnership in the middle has excelled and they should all continue.
At right-back though this could be the perfect time to bring captain Seamus Coleman back into the fold having missed several months with a knee injury, replacing fellow veteran Ashley Young who has had a rough time recently.
In midfield Amadou Onana is likely to be missing again due to a calf problem, and while Andre Gomes stepped up his return with the Under-21’s on Monday he is unlikely to be ready to step into the starting lineup so soon.
That should mean that Idrissa Gueye, James Garner and Abdoulaye Doucoure continue as a midfield trio that provide a goal threat, an all-action style and solid defensive awareness too that the manager loves.
Further forward McNeil continues to be one of Dyche’s most trusted soldiers on the left and his goal at the weekend will see him continue in the team.
Arnaut Danjuma is still pushing for a start but he is at his best on the left and Jack Harrison provides a great balance to the team on the right, so the Leeds loanee should probably keep his spot.
Up front Beto struggled in his first start for a while and with Dominic Calvert-Lewin expected to be available after a slight calf problem, he should come back into the side.
In other Everton news, Richard Keys goes beserk after “laughable” Man City agreement emerges.