After years of turmoil at the club, Everton are trying to build up some success for the long run and have appointed Marco Silva as their new man in charge. The young Portuguese tactician had a couple of impressive yet short-lived spells with Hull City and Watford last year. He is now eyeing greater glory and the Toffees, who had a shaky start to their campaign, have bounced back in recent weeks grabbing back to back wins over Fulham and Leicester City before the international break. They are set to host Crystal Palace at Goodison Park when the season resumes this weekend and their Sunday afternoon tie is tipped to be a close contest versus the Eagles who are struggling in recent weeks but are capable of turning things around under veteran Roy Hodgson.
Team News
Andre Gomes and Yerry Mina, the summer signings from Barcelona, might finally mark their debut having recovered from thigh and ankle injuries. Seamus Coleman, out with an ankle strain, is closing in on regaining full fitness. However, there is a significant boost in the form of James McCarthy who is ready to be reintegrated in the squad having suffered a horrific leg break earlier this year. Youngster Beni Baningime is a doubt with foot injury whereas the fitness of Idrissa Gana Gueye is currently being assessed after being forced to leave the pitch early while representing his nation Senegal against Sudan.
Defence
Everton have a quality custodian in Jordan Pickford whose performance against Spain has been lauded despite the one howler. The Three Lions ‘number 1’ will be vital in controlling the flow from behind with his majestic distribution traits and reflex saves.
Seamus Coleman’s injury has handed youngster Jonjoe Kenny a run of games in his preferred right-back role, and he is likely to retain his place versus Palace for another gameweek. Michael Keane and Kurt Zouma are being lined up together as central defensive options of late whereas Lucas Digne has benched veteran Leighton Baines to become the Toffee’s first-choice left-back for the time being.
Midfield
Morgan Schneiderlin should start against the Eagles unless Idrissa Gueye recovers within the next couple of days time. Youngster Tom Davies has been a great influence in the middle of the park and is likely to keep hold of his place in the starting XI. Gylfi Sigurdsson was instrumental in Everton’s win versus the Foxes with a long-range screamer that sealed all three points on the road. The Icelandic midfield attacker must operate from his preferred ‘number 10’ role to orchestrate the flow and run the show. Theo Walcott is expected to feature down the right wing whereas Bernard, the Bosman transfer from Shakhtar must be fielded on the opposite flank following a stupendous display against Leicester City before the break.
Attack
Richarlison, the high-profile summer signing from Watford, has silenced the critics with his top-notch performances and earned his place in the Brazil national team for successive games. The Selecao international has been shifted to a ‘number 9’ role by Silva, and the centre-forward has replaced Cenk Tosun as Everton’s target man upfront.
