Marco Silva’s Everton side haven’t been in very good form over the last couple on months, and this was highlighted in the worst way possible by Brighton and Hove Albion during their Premier League encounter last weekend. Although the Toffees gave the fixture a right go, an unfortunate Lucas Digne own goal meant that the pressure is now piling up on the Merseyside club.
Although they were able to squeeze out a victory against West Ham a weekend ago, prior to that, their form had been dreadful as well. Before that win, the Toffees had piled up a pathetic record of 4 losses on the trot. With Watford set to visit Goodison Park on the weekend, Marco Silva will be hoping that his team is finally able to get their season back on track.
Team News
Yerry Mina picked up a slight knee problem last weekend and missed the Toffees’ defeat to Brighton. We expect him to be out of this tie as well. Jean-Philippe Gbamin has completed the surgery that was required on his right quadriceps but isn’t set to return to first-team action at least until the turn of the year.
Cenk Tosun missed the last fixture owing to a groin tweak, but he does look to be in contention for this fixture. Bernard’s grade 2 medial ligament injury rules him out of this match, with no expected return date in sight. The Brazilian was one of the Toffees’ brightest players at the start of the campaign, making him a huge miss for Marco Silva’s side.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Defence
The Everton defence line has taken a hit ever since the unexpected injury to star man Yerry Mina. With the likelihood of him starting this fixture now quite low, expect the defensive pairing of Mason Holgate and Michael Keane to retain their places in the side. Although Keane has been a regular in the lineup, Holgate is only getting a proper chance to feature because of the injury to Mina.
The French full-back duo of Djibril Sidibé and Lucas Digne has been doing a decent job for Everton. Even though it was Digne’s own goal which gifted Brighton the win on the weekend, the pair will be hoping to put things right in the cup, when the struggling Hornets visit them.
Midfield
Andre Gomes has been a sensational signing for the Toffees, and his quality is always on display. Although Tom Davies has been preferred to the more experienced heads in the Toffees’ ranks so far, expect Morgan Schneiderlin to retain his place in the EFL Cup squad.
In front of the Everton double pivot, we expect to see Gylfi Sigurdsson back in the central role, just in behind the striker. On either side of him, with Bernard now our injured, expect Theo Walcott and Alex Iwobi to maintain their places. The former Arsenal men will have to be at their best to break through an extremely determined Watford team.
Attack
Dominic Calvert-Lewis has played in both of the Toffees’ EFL Cup games so far, and he’s even managed to pick up two goals on the way. Despite the fact the both Moise Kean and Cenk Tosun are ready and fully match-fit, expect the youngster to lead the line again this midweek.
