Everton vs Southampton: Predicted Line-Up | Time for Change?

09/16/2024 04:00 PM

How will Everton line-up in the cup following a horrible start to the season?

A welcome break from the league nightmare.

Everton have been a disaster so far this season, but they now welcome an almost-as-bad Southampton side to Goodison Park for this third round EFL Cup tie.

So who will line up for the Blues as they seek a rare moment of relief?

Who's Out?

Not much change from the weekend, really.

Vitaliy Mykolenko came off with an apparent "illness" at half-time, so it's possible he won't feature here.

Jarrad Branthwaite and Nathan Patterson are edging back to fitness, but not ready for a run out here, while Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti are still some way off.

Seamus Coleman likely to miss out once again due to the knock he picked up on international duty.

EVERTON SQUAD AVAILABLE VS DONCASTER

Goalkeepers: Pickford, Begovic, Virginia

Defenders: Keane, Branthwaite (INJURED), Tarkowski, O'Brien, Holgate, Mykolenko,Coleman (DOUBT), Patterson (INJURED), Young, Dixon

Midfielders: Doucoure, Gueye, Garner, Iroegbuman, Armstrong, Manga;a

Wingers: McNeil, Harrison, Ndiaye, Lindstrom

Attackers: Calvert-Lewin, Beto, Chermiti (INJURED), Broja (INJURED)

Tactics and Formation

Dyche didn't take any risks when he picked his starting XI against Doncaster in round two, so I'd expect a similar approach here.

I was surprised to see Pickford start in the last round, so he'll probably do so once again here, although it's possible Virginia gets the nod with Pickford not at his best so far this campaign.

In defence, Jake O'Brien will surely get a rare start and hopefully that's alongside James Tarkowski.

Some questions at full-back, though, with Ashley Young likely to fill in for Mykolenko if he's not fit enough. That leaves a question mark at right back, with James Garner moved there at the weekend, although I'm sure we'd all like to see Roman Dixon get another chance. Decent chance of that.

In midfield, Orel Mangala will get his first start in a blue shirt. He'll likely to take the place of Gueye. Then it'll be a coin toss between Garner and Iroegbunam (I'd lean towards Garner, who looks like he needs some minutes under his belt), with Doucoure likely to get some minutes having been out of the team recently.

Out wide, it would be great to see Ndiaye once again. Lindstrom hasn't shown us much so far, but he should get a chance. Although that means both of Dyche's favoured wingers (McNeil and Harrison) being rare absentees.

Up top… Beto? Definitely maybe.

Starters (likelihood of starting rated out of 10)

Joao Virginia – 6/10

Roman Dixon – 6/10

James Tarkowski – 7/10

Jakes O'Brien – 8/10

Ashley Young – 8/10

Orel Mangala – 8/10

James Garner – 7/10

Abdoulaye Doucoure - 7/10

Iliman Ndiaye – 6/10

Jesper Lindstrom – 6/10

Beto – 6/10

Bench

Asmir Begovic

Jordan Pickford

Michael Keane

Idrissa Gana Gueye

Tim Iroegbunam

Harrison Armstrong

Dwight McNeil

Jack Harrison

Dominic Calvert-Lewin