Football Today
·22 November 2024
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·22 November 2024
Everton will be looking to pick up maximum points at home when they take on Brentford in the Premier League at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The Toffees have not won in their last three Premier League games, and they badly need points on the board.
Everton are 16th in the league table with just ten points, and their next two home games, including the clash against Brentford, are absolutely vital.
Manager Sean Dyche is missing several key players, but the good news is he is expecting to get most of them back soon.
Dyche has confirmed that he expects both Dwight McNeil and Jarrad Branthwaite to be available for the Brentford game.
McNeil missed Everton’s goalless draw against West Ham United, while Branthwaite withdrew from the England squad as a precautionary measure and returned to Finch Farm for treatment.
Jordan Pickford has conceded 17 goals in the 2024/25 Premier League season at a ratio of 1.5 goals per game.
However, he has also made 31 saves in the Premier League and is still the best goalkeeper for his club and country.
It will be a massive boost for the Toffees if Branthwaite returns to the side. Both Branthwaite and James Tarkowski have struggled with injuries this season, but Dyche will want the duo to return to their best form ahead of Everton’s gruelling fixtures.
After getting a proper two-week rest, Nathan Patterson should be raring to go, and he should replace Ashley Young at right-back.
Vitaly Mykolenko will continue to operate from the other flank.
Orel Mangala failed to impress for Belgium during the international break, but he could still play a major role for the Toffees.
James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are struggling with back and foot injuries, which means Abdoulaye Doucoure should continue playing. McNeil should return to the side, and he is likely to replace Idrissa Gueye.
Dyche has made it clear that there’s no evidence to suggest that Illian Ndiaye should be playing the number ten role.
Jack Harrison could operate from the other flank, and Dyche may drop Jesper Lindstrom for this game.
The 24-year-old hasn’t been able to make a big impact and could make way for Harrison, who hasn’t been great either.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin should operate as a lone striker, although many people feel that Beto deserves a chance.