Everton are travelling to Staffordshire for their Premier League fixture against Stoke City on Saturday evening. The Toffees are finally back to winning ways after losing 3 out of the last 4 league games.
Their 2-0 triumph over Brighton And Hove Albion might quite possibly the saving grace for Sam Allardyce’s job.
Brighton were happy to sit back until the hour-mark, when Yannick Bolasie’s cross was turned into his own net by Gaetan Bong, under pressure from Theo Walcott.
It was 2-0 shortly after, through Tosun, who fired in off the crossbar from 12 yards after Leighton Baines had squared the ball across goal.
After the match Allardyce was quoted, “The players had to handle the pressure. Our form away, that’s been a long-standing problem and it was a big win under those circumstances. The players accepted the pressure and delivered a performance.”
The Everton manager has dug the team out of the relegation scraps earlier in the season but has struggled to compete for a European spot. With just 10 wins and 13 losses in the Premier League season, maximum points are highly necessary to finish the season in the top half of the table.
Going up against a side who are desperate for a relegation escape will place heavy pressure on the Toffees especially when they are away from home. The Potters are 19th in the league and still have a chance to save themselves from the drop to the Championship.
Paul Lambert will be boosted with a bunch of his players returning from injury.
Here is how the Everton team might lineup on matchday.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Defence
Jordan Pickford is the first choice to appear in between the sticks and should get the nod for this fixture.
Seamus Coleman has been brilliant ever since his return from injury. The 29-year-old is expected to provide cover from the right and Leighton Baines on the left.
Phil Jagielka should get featured ahead of Ashley Williams and get paired up with Michael Keane in the centre-back role.
Midfield
Idrissa Gueye is the right choice ahead of the Frenchman alongside Tom Davies in the holding midfield role. The former is expected to return from illness.
Wayne Rooney is a predicted starter in the attacking midfield position. He might get flanked by Yannick Bolasie on the left. Theo Walcott has been impressing right from his arrival to Goodison and is expected to start from the right wing.
Attack
Cenk Tosun registered his second goal in an Everton shirt last weekend and is slowly adjusting to life in England. He should get the nod for the lone striker role.
