Everton vs Newcastle: Projected XI | Attack from the Back?

The fixtures are coming thick and fast again, but Everton’s physio room is considerably quieter this time around. The latest visitors to Goodison Park are a Newcastle United side who are horribly out-of-form.

But will Carlo change things around for a game the Blues are expected to dominate?

Who’s Out?

Allan, Fabian Delph and Jean-Phillippe ‘back at training next week’ Gbamin remain out, but all three are nearing comebacks.

Otherwise, it’s full strength for the Blues.

Tactics and Formation

Everton will likely set up in a 4-2-3-1 again for this game, but the biggest question regards the personnel of the defence.

Sitting full-backs (i.e. Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey) have worked well against top opposition, but it surely won’t be expansive enough to open up the league’s most out-of-form side.

Therefore we can probably assume that Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne will resume their places at full-back, but then there’s four thriving centre-backs to choose from centrally. Michael Keane is probably first choice, but it’s anyone’s guess as to who will partner him.

Starters (likelihood of starting rated out of 10)

Robin Olsen – 7/10

Olsen’s turn. Plus, it’s Newcastle, Pickford’s bête noire growing up a Sunderland fan and player.

Seamus Coleman – 7/10

Lucas Digne – 9/10

Ben Godfrey – 7/10

Could easily be Mina or Holgate too, but it feels like Godfrey deserves a chance in his preferred position after deputising at full-back almost exclusively since arriving at Goodison Park.

Michael Keane – 9/10

Tom Davies – 8/10

Has been performing well in Allan’s absence and should keep his place.

Abdoulaye Doucoure – 10/10

James Rodriguez – 10/10

Gylfi Sigurdsson – 7/10

Will likely come in for Andre Gomes in order to provide a more attacking threat. Could also see James keep his more central role and Alex Iwobi start on the right.

Richarlison – 10/10

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 10/10

Bench

Robin Olsen

Jonjoe Kenny

Niels Nkounkou

Yerry Mina

Mason Holgate

Andre Gomes

Alex Iwobi

Bernard - toss up with Cenk Tosun, depends on who’s being ‘preserved’ for a likely transfer.

Anthony Gordon