Although Everton failed to close the gap on Manchester United following their frustrating stalemate with Middlesbrough, they were fortunate to have favourable results from their immediate competitors West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United.
They play a struggling Sunderland this weekend and the Toffees will clearly be the favourites to bag three points this time.
Defence
Joel Robles will take his place under the bar once again. The Spaniard has just conceded seven goals in 10 appearances and Koeman would expect him to continue his impressive run.
Skipper Leighton Baines will take the position in the left-back. The English full-back has been instrumental in Everton’s resurgence this season since his return from injury. His offensive runs always give troubling times to opponents. The other flank will be taken by Seamus Coleman. The Irish wingback has been the backbone for Koeman this season. He has scored four goals and three assists from the wings and his urgency to make things happen has been quintessential in Everton’s progress.
Funes Mori and Ashley Williams will take their position in the heart of the defence. The duo has been instrumental in Everton’s adamant attitude at the back.
Midfield
We expect former Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye to start in the double pivot in the midfield. The arrival of the towering French midfielder has pushed Gareth Barry down the pecking order in the middle of the park. With James McCarthy sidelined by a knock, we expect the midfield to remain same this time.
The number 10 role is expected to be played by Ross Barkley this time. The England star was ineffective from the wings in the last game and Koeman won’t experiment with him this time. Tom Davies is still inexperienced to be a playmaker just yet and if not in the central midfield, we expect him to start from the bench this time.
Attack
Kevin Mirallas was the other player to miss the Boro game after suffering a knock and we don’t expect him to start this game even if he shakes it off before the game. Ademola Lookman started on the left flank last game and Mirallas’ doubt keeps him there for now. Aaron Lennon is expected to start on the right flank this time. However, with Barkley moving to the centre, he should start on the flank against Sunderland.
Romelu Lukaku is surely starting as the centre-forward. He is the second highest scorer in the league with 16 goals and will be desperate to add to his goals tally.
Lukaku
Lookman – Barkley – Lennon
Schneiderlin – Gueye
Baines – Mori – Williams – Coleman
Robles
