We’re finally going to watch some meaningful Everton action, sort of. The first full friendly match of the Ronald Koeman era kicks off today as Everton visit Barnsley, opposition they’re becoming very familiar with in recent years. The Blues will also be debuting their new fiery coral away kit at this game.

Defender John Stones, who is the subject of a huge bid from Manchester City, is injured and will miss the game against the Tykes. Club captain Phil Jagielka is also going to miss the game with a hamstring problem, so there will be a new look central defensive pairing.

The game at Oakwell today is the first of six pre-season friendlies in a grueling build-up to the upcoming season charted out by Koeman and his coaching staff. The squad has been boosted by the return of seven players of the international contingent, but is unlikely that any of them will feature today: Stones (injury), Ross Barkley, James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman, Aiden McGeady, Shani Tarashaj and Ramiro Funes Mori.

Romelu Lukaku is still on vacation, and is due back at Finch Farm on Monday. In addition, with the U-21 side playing in a tournament on Thursday, Koeman is not expected to add any of those players for today.

The Championship season starts a week before the Premier League, and this will be Barnsley’s fifth pre-season game and first at home. The Tykes won all four friendlies.

Everton at Barnsley

Match Details

Date and time: Saturday, July 23 at 3:00 p.m. BST / 10:00 a.m. EST / 7:00 a.m. PST

Stadium: Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England

Capacity: 23,009

How to Watch/Listen

TV: LiveSoccerTV

Radio: N/A

Live stream: ESPN3; evertontv (subscription required).

Lineups:

Everton starting XI - Robles, Davies, Holgate, Galloway, Baines (c), Lennon, Gibson, Besic, Mirallas, Dowell, Deulofeu.

Everton subs - Stekelenburg, Coleman, Pennington, Funes Mori, Oviedo, Cleverley, Barkley, Grant, Garbutt, Tarashaj, McGeady.

Barnsley starting XI - Davies, Yiadom, Roberts, Mawson, White, Hammill, Moncur, Hourihane, Lee, Bradshaw, Winnall.

Barnsley subs - Townsend, Bree, Scowen, Nyatanga, Watkins, Payne, Tuton, Evans, D-Almeida.