Everton vs West ham; Everton has established a reputation for being a tenacious Rafael Benitez side early in the 2021/22 season
Everton vs West ham; Everton has established a reputation for being a tenacious Rafael Benitez side early in the 2021/22 season
Everton vs. West ham United Premier League Matchday: 8
Date: October 17, 2021
Time: 06:30 PM (IST)
Venue: Goodison Park, Liverpool.
At the end of the international break, Rafael Benitez was welcomed with a slew of excellent news, with the possible absence of Yerry Mina being the sole disappointment. Everton boss Ronald Koeman will be without up to five players on Sunday. Mina, as previously said, may be unable to participate due to his late return from international service with Colombia. The 27-year-old, like every other South American player in action during the break, maybe force to sit out. Fabian Delph (shoulder), Andre Gomes (calf), Richarlison (knee), and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (toe) have all been ruled out.
However, over the international break, both Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin made considerable progress on their individual recovery tracks and will be ready for selection next weekend. Seamus Coleman is also expecting a return after recovering from a hamstring ailment. Meanwhile, in Mina’s absence, Ben Godfrey will partner Michael Keane in the heart of Everton’s defence; with Lucas Digne returning to his usual position on the left flank after being declaring fit while on France duty. AbdoulayeDoucoure and Allan will start upfront in midfield, with Demarai Gray returning to the no. 10 position. In the offensive third, Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin will be replaced by Anthony Gordon and Salomon Rondon, with Andros Townsend playing a crucial role in the final third.
Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Digne, Godfrey; Doucoure, Allan; Townsend, Gordon, Gray; Rondon
Unlike his Everton opponent, David Moyes has little to worry about in terms of injury concerns ahead of the trip to Goodison Park. On Sunday, West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini is expected to be without only one first-team player, Ryan Fredericks. He is recuperating from a groyne injury Moyes, on the other hand, has been concerned about the fitness of Vladimir Coufal, who is recuperating from his own slight groyne injury. The Czech full-back, on the other hand, should be healthy enough to start, with the rest being given out during this week’s UEFA Europa League match.Aaron Cresswell will be West Ham’s other full-back, and his deliveries from set-pieces and open play will be crucial. Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna will once again form the central defensive pairing, with Lukasz Fabianski manning the goal.
Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek will form a double pivot in midfield, with the two hoping to keep an eye on Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray while launching West Ham’s attacks. Instead of Pablo Fornals, Said Benrahma is expected to return to the role of No. 10. As a result, West Ham will take a more direct approach, overloading the centre areas, with Fornals likely to move in and overlap Cresswell. With Michail Antonio leading the charge for West Ham against Everton, Jarrod Bowen will offer the creative energy from the right-wing.
Fabianski; Zouma, Coufal, Cresswell, Ogbonna; Soucek, Rice; BenrahmaBowen, Fornals,; Antonio
Everton has established a reputation for being a tenacious Rafael Benitez side early in the 2021/22 season. Even though they drew 1-1 with Manchester United; the loss of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin against a muscular West Ham United could be felt. Despite the play of Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray. Townsend may get an opportunity to break his goal drought against West Ham. On the other hand, a relatively weak Everton defence should be exploited by Michail Antonio, who will be eager to make an impression after missing the international break with Jamaica. With all in mind, The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for David Moyes and his team over their old opponents.