Just before the Premier League went into the international break, Marco Silva’s Everton side picked up what was only their first away win of the season. Goals from young Tom Davies and Brazilian starlet Richarlison were enough to seal all three points for the Toffees against Southampton. However, it can be argued that the Saints shouldn’t be considered an actual test of a team’s quality.
The St.Mary’s outfit have been in dismal league form since the start of the campaign and currently find themselves languishing in 19th place with just eight points on the board. Marco Silva could relieve the pressures on his own head by picking up reaffirming back-to-back victories, by beating another one of the league’s biggest strugglers in the Canaries.
Team News
Star signing Jean Philippe Gbamin suffered a tendon injury on his leg and is only scheduled to return to first-team training at the turn of the year. Although Marco Silva did say that Bernard could be back in contention after the international break, the lack of talk surrounding the player makes his sudden return to first-team action highly unlikely.
Fabian Delph has had a hamstring niggle over the last few weeks and could make the squad on the weekend. Although Cenk Tosun was set to be out with a slight problem as well, he is expected to start in this crucial fixture against the Canaries. Both Andre Gomes and Cuco Martina are out with long-term problems and aren’t in contention for this league fixture.
Predicted 4-2-3-1 Everton Lineup Vs Norwich City
Formation 4-2-3-1
Defence
Jordan Pickford has been the Toffees’ saviour on many weekends this season but has also made the heel turn on occasion with individual errors. Despite the mixed bag of form that the Englishman is showcasing, his place in the side is set in stone. In front of him, Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina impressed in the tie against the Saints and will be looking to keep up the good work.
The flanks are where Everton tend to cause most of their damage, and the presence of two superstars in Djibril Sidibé and Lucas Digne has undoubtedly helped their cause. The duo loves to bombard into opposition territory and can often be seen delivering mean crosses into the box as well. Expect the Frenchmen to keep their respective places on the flanks.
Midfield
Despite Fabian Delph’s possible return to fitness, Marco Silva could choose to stick with the formula that won him an away match the last time out. With Tom Davies popping up with the goal against the Saints as well, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him continuing in midfield alongside the experienced head of Morgan Schneiderlin. The pair of them are capable of controlling the pace of the game if the attacking players are taking up the right positions.
Just in front of them, Gylfi Sigurdsson could start in his preferred role just in behind the main striker. His link-up play with Richarlison and Theo Walcott has been a feature of the Toffees’ play over the last couple of seasons, and the attacking midfielder could have an important part to play against the Canaries.
Attack
Cenk Tosun is expected to retain his place as the central striker in the Everton side as Dominic Calvert-Lewin still has a lot of maturing to do before he becomes a top striker. The youngster is expected to sit this one out, with Silva probably preferring the veteran striker in his place.
