Everton predicted line-up vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1) | OneFootball

Everton welcome Premier League leaders Arsenal to Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday evening, looking to rekindle their push for Europe.

Everton head into the contest on the back of a frustrating 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, a result that halted a strong run of form.

Prior to that setback, the Toffees had won four of their previous five league games and looked firmly back on track.

Everton currently sit ninth in the table, but they are just two points adrift of the European places and four behind Chelsea in fourth.

Unfortunately, David Moyes faces a major selection headache ahead of one of the toughest fixtures of the season.

Injuries and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have depleted his options.

Match preview

Hill Dickinson Stadium has already proven a difficult venue for visiting sides, and Moyes will hope that resilience can unsettle Arsenal.

The Toffees have shown they can rise to big occasions at home, combining defensive discipline with a willingness to press aggressively when opportunities arise.

While the loss to Chelsea exposed their lack of cutting edge without key personnel, Everton’s overall trajectory under Moyes remains positive.

Meanwhile, Arsenal arrive on Merseyside clinging to a two-point lead at the top of the table, but performances have dipped slightly in recent weeks.

Mikel Arteta’s side were fortunate to edge past Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out and have kept just one clean sheet in their last six league matches.

Match stats

Everton have avoided defeat in 14 of their last 17 home Premier League games, stretching back into last season.

Both meetings between these sides ended in draws last term, and the Toffees have lost just one of their last seven home league matches against Arsenal.

The Toffees will back themselves to secure a result on home soil. They are undefeated in their three home games against sides that started this weekend in the top half (W2, D1).

Arsenal have also failed to win three of their last six Premier League games (W3, D2, L1). Interestingly, all those fixtures were away from home.

Additionally, the Gunners are thin at the back due to injuries. The stars are lining up for Everton to secure a shock result.

However, it is worth noting that Arteta has gotten the better of Moyes six times while the Scotsman has beaten his Spanish counterpart only twice (D3).

Team news

Everton will be without Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye, both of whom are away on AFCON duty with Senegal and could miss several weeks if they progress deep.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury against Chelsea, while Jarrad Branthwaite, Seamus Coleman, and Merlin Rohl remain unavailable.

Jack Grealish was forced off late at Stamford Bridge due to tightness, but Moyes confirmed on Friday that the Manchester City loanee is fit and available.

Only five players have registered more shot-creating actions than Grealish (58) this term.

He ranks second in the list for progressive carries with 75 and has also won the most fouls (45). Grealish is expected to start in attack alongside Thierno Barry.

With Gueye absent, 22-year-old Tim Iroegbunam should partner with James Garner in the double pivot.

Meanwhile, Tyler Dibling is favoured to replace Ndiaye on the flank, having impressed with his recent cameos.

Everton predicted line-up (4-2-3-1)

Jordan Pickford; Jake O’Brien, Michael Keane, James Tarkowski, Vitalii Mykolenko; James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam; Tyler Dibling, Carlos Alcaraz, Jack Grealish; Thierno Barry.