Everton host Crystal Palace on Monday, February 19 in a crucial Premier League encounter that could have huge implications in the relegation battle. In a fixture that the Toffees have dominated recently, the visitors have failed to win at Goodison Park in their previous eight visits. Last Word on Football brings you our Everton predicted lineup for the game.
Everton Predicted Lineup for Premier League Clash vs Crystal Palace
Sean Dyche has confirmed that Abdoulaye Doucoure is back "in the thinking" along with Amadou Onana and Seamus Coleman for his squad selection on Monday.
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— Everton (@Everton) February 17, 2024
How Everton Have Lined Up Recently
Manager Sean Dyche has kept a steady lineup over the last few Premier League fixtures. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has started every game in the league this season continuing the form that saw him earn two consecutive Everton Player of the Year Awards.
A back four of Ben Godfrey, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Vitaliy Mykolenko have started the previous three games together.
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The midfield has faced a high level of rotation due to injuries. James Garner has been partnered with Idrissa Gana Gueye after his return from AFCON. Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison often play on the wings, but due to the injury of Abdoulaye Doucoure, the latter has slotted into a more central role.
Replacing Harrison on the right has been Ashley Young, the veteran highlighting his versatility after playing wing back for most of the season.
Leading the line has been Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the majority of the games. The striker has scored only three league goals this season and failed to find the back of the net in his previous 17 games. Portuguese duo Beto and Chermiti have provided rotation toward the end of games.
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Everton’s Recent Form and Tactics
The Toffees have failed to win in their last seven Premier League games, picking up three draws in that span. A run of form that has highlighted the team’s inability to score, only managing to find the back of the net four times.
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Lacklustre finishing has been a theme throughout the whole season. The team has underperformed their expected goals by 10.0, far and away the worst premier league team in that category.
Everton often line up in a 4-2-3-1 and switch to a 4-4-2 when defending. The attacking midfielder joins the striker to help press, create turnovers high up the pitch, and look to attack from there. They produce the second-most crosses in the league and will look to hit Calvert-Lewin or oncoming midfielders inside the box.
Everton’s Injuries to Consider
In this week’s press conference, Dyche confirmed key players’ return to the squad. Abdoulaye Doucoure is back training with the first team and in contention to play against Palace. Amadou Onana and Seamus Coleman had brief stints against Manchester City and are now available for the starting lineup.
Andre Gomes and Arnaut Danjuma are still rehabbing injuries sustained over the holiday fixtures. Both are a few weeks away from being back in the squad.
Everton Predicted Lineup
GK: Jordan Pickford
RB: Seamus Coleman
CB: James Tarkowski
CB: Jarrad Branthwaite
LB: Vitaliy Mykolenko
CM: Amadou Onana
CM: Idrissa Gueye
CAM: James Garner
LM: Dwight McNeil
RM: Jack Harrison
ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
