Everton are travelling to The Hawthorns for their Premier League clash against West Bromwich Albion on 26th December. The Toffees are coming off a 0-0 draw against Chelsea at the Goodison Park has opened up a 4 point gap ahead of Watford in the 9th spot of the points table.
They started off the season very poorly under Ronald Koeman even after investing heavily in the summer transfer window. The side failed to click under the Dutchman and saw themselves drop to the relegation zone early in the campaign.
But ever since Sam Allardyce took over they have not lost a single game and has dug themselves out of the bottom three and are well on their way towards at least a top half finish. Allardyce’s men are in no mood to lose any more points to hinder their pursuit of a European qualification spot and will be eager to put on a dominating display against a side struggling in the 19th spot of the league.
The predicted lineup for the Everton team is 4-2-3-1.
Defence
Summer signing, Jordan Pickford has 4 clean sheets to his name this season and will look to increase that tally in these fixtures. He is expected to appear in between the sticks.
Ashley Williams and Mason Holgate were benched in the last fixture with a flu scare. With Phil Jagielka also not entirely fit to appear for 90 minutes, it is unpredictable who will be chosen to start in the centre-back position. However, the 35-year-old might just get the nod alongside Michael Keane if the former duo is still feeling under the weather.
Rhu-Endly Cuco Martina may be fielded again in the left back position with Leighton Baines still ruled out with an injury. Jonjoe Kenny might start from the right.
Midfield
The duo of Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye has worked really well under Allardyce. However, Gueye also picked up an injury in the last fixture and has been ruled out for more than 2 weeks. His duties can be delegated to Tom Davies in the holding midfield position alongside the 28-year-old Frenchman.
Gylfi Sigurðsson might make a shift to the attacking midfield role with Wayne Rooney also affected by the flu virus.
Aaron Lennon can look to take up the right wing spot with Yannick Bolasie on the left.
The DR Congo winger is eager to start playing again after spending almost a year on the sidelines. With the squad stretched so thin with multiple injuries it would not be the furthest of possibilities for him to make an appearance.
Attack
Dominic Calvert-Lewin may start in the lone striker role with Oumar Nisse or Sandro Ramirez making a substitute appearance if he runs out of steam in the later stages.
