Everton vs Brentford: match preview | Toffees seek first win in four to move clear of danger
Yesterday at 09:20 AM
A tough run of games are coming up
Everton return to action after the international break needing a win to lift themselves away from danger ahead of a daunting run of fixtures.
The Toffees' haul of 10 points from 11 games, leaving them just three points above the drop zone, does not look enough given the teams they have faced, given most of them occupy the bottom half.
With Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City to face in the next six weeks, it is understandable that a lot of focus in now on Saturday's game.
A victory would allow everyone to breathe a little easier, though there remains concern that they could well be in the relegation zone by the turn of the year.
Some fans feel the safety-first tactics by Sean Dyche have prevented the club from turning draws into wins, with the stalemate at a struggling West Ham case in point.
Dyche is unlikely to be bothered by such criticism and may well prove vindicated if they continue to pick up points through the winter. But that looks a big if right now.
The opposition
Like Brighton, Brentford as seen as one of the Premier League's model clubs after a combination of savvy recruitment and astute managerial appointments helping them rise from League One to the top flight in a decade.
Thomas Frank's side have not flirted with the drop since entering the league, finishing 13th, ninth - their highest finish since 1936 - and 16th.
Their stable finances mean Frank has been able to keep his squad largely in tact, though Ivan Toney was eventually sold this summer.
In his absence Bryan Mbueno and Yaone Wissa have stepped up, scoring 15 of Brentford's 22 goals this season between them.
Consistency has been issue, the Bees have not strung consecutive wins together yet this season, could do for the first time with a victory on Saturday.
To do that they need to improve their recent record against Everton, with the Toffees winning the last three encounters.
Previous meeting
Everton 1-0 Brentford, 27 April 2024
Everton made it three wins in a week and secured Premier League safety with a 1-0 over Brentford on April, with Idrissa Gueye scoring the only goal.
Team news
Everton are hopeful Jarrad Branthwaite will be fit after he missed the draw at West Ham and withdrew from the England squad with a groin problem.
Dwight McNeil is expected to be available after also missing the trip to the Hammers with a knee injury.
Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti are back in training but are not yet ready for a first-team return.
Seamus Coleman, James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are out longer term.
What they said
Everton boss Sean Dyche: "The feeling within the camp has been good. The outside feel shifts constantly and all we can do is work hard to get the right results to keep it going.
"I know the form table, of course, and the stats, facts and progression of the team. We just to focus inside and hope everyone comes with us.
"Our job at the moment is to build on that form and turn it into winning form – and just continue with the consistency of not being beaten. I think that's a valuable thing to have.
"On the players' side of things, I think they've been very resilient through my time here. There have been a lot of questions asked of all of us, and the points and all the rest of it.
"I couldn't be more proud of the players, to be honest, and the new additions are learning. They're getting stronger, I believe, and learning about the Premier League and we're trying to constantly regroup and reform a group that can be successful on a consistent basis.
"I think there have been signs of that this season, but we have to keep stepping forward and I think the players are willing to do that. I'm willing to do that."
Brentford boss Thomas Frank: "Sean is a fantastic coach and manager. He always makes his team very difficult to play against. They are physical, intensive in pressing, they have pace on transitions, are very good on set-pieces, and they play behind you.
"What he brings is a fantastic foundation. I don't think he always gets enough credit for how dynamic they are and how good they are in the offensive third.
"I'm a big admirer of his work. What we did at Burnley was extremely impressive and was something I looked into; that journey and how we could bring some of those elements to Brentford.
"He's doing it again at Everton and it's potentially even more impressive. On paper, you could maybe say the squad is better but it's also a bigger challenge because there has been a lot of noise with points deductions and a change of owners.
"I expect a very difficult but also even game. I think there is an element where the two teams can cancel each other out. It might be one top action that will decide the game.
"Offensively, we need to be good on the ball. We need to go out there and be brave, and want to turn forward and drive forward. A big thing is to be brave."
Final word
Though classed as the end of Everton's 'kind' run, this will be a tough test against a side packed with attacking talent. The last two meetings at Goodison have finished 1-0 - I would snap your hands off for a similar result on Saturday.
