Everton are set to host Southampton on Thursday evening as the Toffees look to put behind their defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.
With just five games left in the league, the teams are just one point apart in the table, Everton in 11th and Southampton in 13th and both will be targeting a finish in the top-half of the table.
Southampton were defeated 2-1 in the reverse fixture at St. Mary’s back in November and will be looking to get the better of Carlo Ancelotti’s side this time round.
When and Where?
When: Thursday, 9 July
Where: Goodison Park
Time: 18:00 GMT
Recent Form
Everton – (L D W W L)
The Toffees lost in their last outing against Tottenham Hotspur just two days ago, their first loss since post-lockdown in another dismal outing for the attackers. The team has now gone without scoring in three of their last five league games, which will surely be a worrying sign for Ancelotti.
But the appointment of the Italian has led Everton to push further up the table after a disastrous start to the campaign under Marco Silva, when Everton were contenders for relegation.
The Toffees are now unbeaten in their last nine league games at home, and will go into the match feeling confident of picking up points against the Saints.
Southampton – (L W L W W)
Southampton notched up a shock victory over Manchester City on Sunday meaning the Saints have now won three of their last four games. Southampton had the worst home record in the entire league heading into the match against City, but pulled off a spectacular win over Pep Guardiola’s team at home.
If Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side do manage to win at Goodison Park, it’ll be the first time since May 2016 that the club have won three games in a row.
Team News
Everton defender Mason Holgate and forward Alex Iwobbi both had to be substituted off in their last game and Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Holgate would miss out on the match with a minor knock. It means that Colombian international Yerri Mina will make his first start in the league at centre back since February.
Theo Walcott is yet to recover from his abdominal surgery while Fabian Delph is still out with a muscle injury who is unlikely to be rushed back into action.
The Saints are missing key defenders with Jannik Vestergaard and Yan Valery both sidelined. Sofiane Boufal has still not recovered from his thigh injury while Djenepo picked up a calf injury shortly after returning from a three match suspension.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is expected to be back in the squad, ending a two game hiatus after being linked with a move away from the club and publicly expressing his desire to leave.
Predicted Lineup
Everton – Pickford; Sidibe, Keane, Mina, Digne; Sigurdsson, Davies, Gomes, Gordon; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.
Southampton – McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Stephens, Bertrand; Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Redmond; Ings, Adams.
SCORE PREDICTION
Everton 1-1 Southampton
