Newly promoted West Bromwich Albion head to Goodison Park to take on Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the second round of Premier League fixtures on Saturday.
The Baggies were thoroughly outplayed by Leicester City last weekend, in a 3-0 defeat at the Hawthorns. Slaven Bilic’s side found it hard to keep up with the blistering pace of the Leicester attack and the manager will be hoping for a better defensive display from his side against the Toffees.
Everton were very impressive in their opening game last week, notching up a 1-0 victory over Tottenham with youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring the lone goal.
When and Where?
Venue: Goodison Park
Date: Saturday, 19 September
Time: 12:30 (GMT)
Team News
Everton have been harrowed by injuries to defenders as youngster Jarrad Branthwaite picked up an injury in their EFL Cup tie yesterday. With Mason Holgate already injured, this leaves Everton with only two fit senior centre-halfs in Keane and Yerry Mina.
Chelsea’s Fikayo Tomori has been linked to make a loan move to the club as Ancelotti will be looking to bring in another defender before the transfer window closes.
New signings Allan, Doucoure and James Rodriguez all impressed on their debut against Tottenham and are all expected to start in what will be a relatively unchanged eleven from their last league game against Tottenham.
For West Brom, Conor Townsend and Kenneth Zohore remain the only two absentees. West Brom strolled to a comfortable 3-0 over Harrogate Town in the EFL Cup on Wednesday but will need to be high on confidence if they are to pick up points against Everton on Saturday.
Predicted Lineup
Everton (4-4-2): Pickford; Seamus Coleman, Yerry Mina, Michael Keane, Lucas Digne; Gordon, Allan, Andre Gomes, Theo Walcott; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.
West Bromwich Albion (4-2-3-1): Johnstone; O’Shea, Bartley, Ajayi, Gibbs; Livermore, Sawyers; Phillips, Pereira, Diangana; Austin.
Prediction
Everton 2 – 0 West Bromwich Albion
