Everton will lock horns with Southampton at St. Mary’s on Saturday afternoon, hoping to pick up a positive result away from away. The Toffees will be heading into the contest on the back of a 3-0 victory over Leeds United, whereas Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men recorded a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on February 12.
Team News
Frank Lampard has issued updates on the fitness of Demarai Gray, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina ahead of the trip to St. Mary’s.
“(Vitalii) Mylokenko is back but Demarai Gray won’t quite make this weekend. We’re hopeful for the following week.
“Doucoure trained with us today in his first integration into a proper session so hopefully over the next week we can see a strong progression for him to be available for the following week.
“Ben Godfrey is getting closer. Hopefully we’re on schedule at least for that which means two or three weeks. Yerry Mina is a bit longer. He’s just starting the process.
“Fabian Delph is similar to Ben Godfrey. We’re hopeful for two or three weeks for those two.”
Lampard will probably opt for the 4-4-2 formation with a couple of tweaks from the last game as Andros Townsend looks likely to make his way back into the starting eleven.
4-3-3 Everton Predicted Lineup Vs Southampton
Defence
Jordan Pickford is expected to start in goal for the upcoming away encounter. The English shot-stopper would hope to put up a strong performance and secure a clean sheet on Saturday.
Michael Keane and Mason Holgate might form the customary centre-half partnership at the heart of Everton’s backline as they look to prevent Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men from finding the back of the net throughout the 90 minutes.
Full-backs Seamus Coleman and Jonjoe Kenny will continue to operate down the right and left-hand sides, respectively.
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Midfield
Donny van de Beek and Allan will slot in as the holding midfielders; however, the former could be assigned with more of a central role as his ball distribution could turn out to be decisive if the Toffees wish to dominate things at the centre of the park.
Andros Townsend and Anthony Gordon will take up the wide positions, playing down the right and left-wing, respectively. The duo would be determined to engineer some clear-cut goal-scoring chances for the men upfront.
Andre Gomes will have to settle for a place on the bench but might be called on in the latter stages of the game if needed.
Attack
Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin will form the striker’s partnership at the top of the pitch.
The duo will fancy their chances of finding the back of the net when they face off against the Saints defence that has conceded eight goals in their last five matches across all competitions.
