Everton succumbed to a brilliant Chelsea side last weekend, who seem to put no wrong foot at the moment. The Toffees were better than the London side for the most part of the game and until Pedro’s stunner in the second half, Koeman’s men looked like snatching a win eventually if things had stayed that way.
The loss has left them with little chance of finishing above Arsenal in the sixth position now, which would have guaranteed them entry into the Europa League without going through the qualification stages. They face an adamant Swansea City next at the Liberty Stadium, which hasn’t been the easiest venues to go and win of late, for any club except Everton.
The Toffees have never lost a league game at the Liberty Stadium. Rather, they have enjoyed an easy record against the South Wales club of late losing only once to them in the last 11 Premier league games. However, Paul Clement’s side are unbeaten against Everton in the last five games and pulling off a stunning draw against Manchester United last week at Old Trafford, they would be brimming with confidence.
Possible Everton XI vs Swansea City
Defence
Maarten Stekelenburg is expected to start under the bar. The Dutch goalie had a nightmarish game against Chelsea and Koeman has no one in that role, who could pull it off efficiently. With Joel Robles, still very young, the Dutch manager has a goalkeeper as his top priority this summer.
The defensive wings will be taken by Leighton Baines and Mason Holgate. The English duo has been quite effective for Everton apart from the top six teams, and we expect them to keep it that way against the relegation-battling side.
The central defensive role will be taken by Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams. They had done a brilliant job of stopping Diego Costa last game until the first goal opened the floodgates. They will have a similar challenge in Fernando Llorente.
Midfield
The central midfield had only one holding midfielder against Chelsea in Idrissa Gueye in the absence of Morgan Schneiderlin. However, we expect the gaffer to bring on Tom Davies alongside the Senegal international.
The number 10 role will be played by Ross Barkley. The want away Everton academy star could do little to penetrate Chelsea’s back line and will be expecting to get back his confidence in this game.
Attack
Koeman’s experiment with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Enner Valencia didn’t quite work last game and we expect Kevin Mirallas to replace Lewin on the flanks. Lukaku will spearhead the attack.
