Everton will be looking to pick up maximum points at home when they take on Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday at Goodison Park.
The Toffees have not won in their last three Premier League games, and they badly need points on the table.
Everton are 16th in the league table with just ten points on board, and their next two home games, including the clash against Brentford, are absolutely vital.
Sean Dyche is missing a host of key players, but the good news is he is expecting to get back most of them (if not everyone) to return to full fitness very soon.
Ahead of the match, Dyche has confirmed that he expects both Dwight McNeil and Jarrad Branthwaite to be available for this game.
McNeil missed Everton’s goalless draw against West Ham United in the last game, while Branthwaite withdrew from the England squad as a precautionary measure and returned to Finch Farm for treatment.
Here’s the predicted Everton starting XI v Brentford
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford has conceded 17 goals in the 2024/25 Premier League season at a ratio of 1.5 goals per game. However, he has also made 31 saves in the Premier League and is still the best keeper for his club and country.
Defence
It will be a massive boost for the Toffees if Branthwaite returns to the side. Both Branthwaite and James Tarkowski have struggled with injuries this season, but Dyche will want the duo to return to their best form ahead of Everton’s gruelling fixtures.
After getting a proper two-week rest, Nathan Patterson should be raring to go, and he should replace Ashley Young at right-back.
Vitaly Mykolenko continues to operate from the other flank.
Midfield
Orel Mangala failed to impress for Belgium during the international break, but he could still play a major role for the Toffees.
James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are struggling with back and foot injuries, which means Abdoulaye Doucoure should continue playing. McNeil should return to the side, and he is likely to replace Idrissa Gueye.
Attack
Dyche has made it clear that there’s no evidence to suggest that Illian Ndiaye should be playing the number ten role.
Jack Harrison could operate from the other flank, and Dyche might drop Jesper Lindstrom for this game. The 24-year-old hasn’t been able to make a big impact this far and could make way for Harrison, who hasn’t been great either.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin should operate as a lone striker, although many feel that Beto deserves a chance.
Predicted Everton XI v Brentford: Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Mangala, Doucoure, McNeill; Ndiaye, Harrison, Calvert-Lewin.
