Everton at Man Utd: Predicted Line-Up | Sitting Full-Backs to Return?

Everton were rubbish, now they’re magic again.

This is a massive game. And a win would propel the Blues into the mix for not just a top four finish, but potentially second place in the league. A defeat, though, could almost quash Everton’s Champions League hopes. It’s that tight in the top half.

So how will the mighty travelling Toffees line-up when they head up the East Lancs Road to pay Manchester United a visit?

Who’s Out?

It’s basically the same as midweek. Jordan Pickford’s still out with an abdomen issue, but Robin Olsen was immense against Leeds United, so he might not have played anyway. Allan just resumed training today, while Jean-Philippe Gbamin is showing no signs of being ready any time soon.

Tactics and Formation

It’s possible that Everton could set up as they did against Leeds on Wednesday, although I do wonder if they’ll return to the successful “sitting full-backs” experiment against a United side that plundered nine past Southampton in midweek.

It also seems likely that Michael Keane and James Rodriguez will return to the side after a rest. So that could see Godfrey return to left-back and Lucas Digne play on the left-wing, with Richie switching to the right.

Starters (likelihood of starting rated out of 10)

Robin Olsen – 10/10

Mason Holgate – 7/10

Ben Godfrey – 7/10

Yerry Mina – 8/10

Michael Keane – 8/10

Andre Gomes – 7/10

Linked up play well in midweek and so should start unless Carlo wants to keep rotating him with Davies.

Abdoulaye Doucoure – 10/10

Richarlison – 9/10

Lucas Digne – 7/10

If Everton go for sitting full-backs, Digne may well be pushed into a left-wing role again.

James Rodriguez – 7/10

Could return to the side to replace Gylfi at CAM.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 10/10

Bench

Joao Virginia

Seamus Coleman - rested midweek, could replace Holgate at right back.

Niels Nkounkou

Fabian Delph

Tom Davies

Alex Iwobi

Bernard

Gylfi Sigurdsson

Joshua King

(Editor's note - King looked unfit against Leeds which is odd considering he featured prominently in AFC Bournemouth’s last four games before deadline day.)