Sean Dyche will be in the Everton dugout on Saturday for the home clash with Arsenal after the home team fired Frank Lampard after a bad run of results.
The match at Goodison Park, which will kick off at 12″30 GMT, will see league leaders Arsenal seek to extend their lead at the summit while the basement club will seek to get the points they need to bolster their survival bid.
Key Highlights
Sean Dyche’s First Match
Everton’s wretched run of form has seen them pick up a solitary point in their last five assignments. This return saw the board dismiss Lampard and bring in Sean Dyche with the remit the beat the drop.
Dyche is known for disciplined football characterized by defensive solidity, and deep defending, ad his teams are tough to play against. The gaffer will be expected to turn things around at Goodison Park in time to ensure the team’s survival.
Dyche’s prowess will be tested severely by the in-form and table-topping Gunners that have been dynamic in attack and robust in defense.
Arsenal’s Good Form
Mikel Arteta’s side will be looking to make it three consecutive wins in the league as they seek to fortify or expand their lead at the league’s summit.
After beating both Tottenham away and Manchester United at home, the Gunners have picked up invaluable confidence and momentum heading into the Everton game. They will seek to press home their advantage by taking all three points on Saturday.
Arteta will expect his charges to keep the good form, tempo, energy, and their signature patient style of play to sweep away Everton on Saturday and pick up the points on offer.
Injury Report
Everton
Sean Dyche cannot call upon Andros Townsend; the forward is nursing a knee (ACL) injury and is expected to be back in February. Nathan Patterson (knee), James Garner (back), and Ben Godfrey (knee sprain) are also unavailable for selection.
All these players are expected to be back available for selection in February. However, Dyche’s maiden match as the Everton manager will come too soon for these players. This will squeeze Dyche’s choices when choosing the starting 11 against Arsenal.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta cannot call upon right winger Reiss Nelson who is sidelined with thigh problems. The 23-year-old has been out of action since December and is expected to be back fit by February 4th.
Arsenal will also be without center-forward Gabriel Jesus. The 25-year-old Brazilian international is nursing a knee injury. Defensive midfielder Mohamed Elneny is also sidelined with a knee injury.
Starting midfielder Thomas Partey is an injury doubt ahead of the clash with the toffees; however, his injury might not be as bad as initially thought, which comes as a boost for Arteta.
Possible Lineups
Everton
J. Pickford; J. Tarkowski, C. Coady, Y. Mina; V. Mykolenko. I. Gueye, A. Onana, S. Colean; D. Gray, A. Iwobi; D. Calvert-Lewin
Arsenal
A. Ramsdale; B. White, W. Saliba, Gabriel, O. Zinchenko; M. Odergaard, Xhaka, Fabio Vieira; B. Saka, E. Nketiah, L. Trossard
Prediction
Everton will remain disciplined and compact and play with a low bloc. They will seek to frustrate Arsenal and force them wide throughout the match. They will use pace on the counter and set pieces to pose an attacking threat.
Arsenal will be composed and play their signature controlled style of play. They will boss the midfield and possession and control the tempo of the match. They will create chances out wide and play through the middle.
Arsenal will have too much against an out-of-form and low-on-confidence Everton side and thus hand Sean Dyche a debut defeat.
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