Everton are five games unbeaten. In fact, they haven’t lost since being knocked out of the League Cup on penalties by, well, Southampton.
But despite nicking a point against Fulham last week, the performance was otherwise miserable.
So can we expect should changes when Mr Dyche lines up his side at St Mary’s?
Who’s Out?
There are a couple of doubts coming into this one, with both Dwight McNeil and Abdoulaye Doucoure picking up minor injuries against Fulham.
However, Dyche seems confident about McNeil being ready to feature, although less sure about Doucoure – who is more of a “touch and go” situation.
James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam, Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti remain out, although the striking duo are progressing nicely on their fitness journey and we could see Broja feature this month.
EVERTON SQUAD AVAILABLE VS SAINTS
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Virginia, Begovic
Defenders: Keane, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, O’Brien, Mykolenko, Coleman, Patterson, Young, Dixon
Midfielders: Doucoure (DOUBT), Gueye, Garner (INJURED), Iroegbuman (INJURED), Mangala, Armstrong
Wingers: McNeil (DOUBT), Harrison, Ndiaye, Lindstrom
Attackers: Calvert-Lewin, Beto, Chermiti (INJURED), Broja (INJURED)
Tactics and Formation
Fair enough, you can’t change a winning team, but after last week’s drab showing, it’s time to throw Jarrad Branthwaite back in the side. Class, him.
Let’s just pray that Dyche isn’t so determined to keep Keane in the line-up that he opts for a back three – that doesn’t normally end well.
Otherwise I’m not expecting many other changes, except for Mangala to potentially replace Doucoure in midfield.
It would be nice to see Patterson get some minutes here, but in fairness Ashley Young has been performing solidly of late, so there’s no urgency in getting him into the starting XI.
Starters (likelihood of starting rated out of 10)
Jordan Pickford – 9/10
Ashley Young – 8/10
Jarrad Branthwaite – 6/10
James Tarkowski – 9/10
Vitaliy Mykolenko – 9/10
Idrissa Gana Gueye – 8/10
Orel Mangala –6/10
Iliman Ndiaye – 8/10
Dwight McNeil – 6/10
Jack Harrison – 6/10
Dominic Calvert-Lewin– 9/10
Bench
Joao Virginia
Seamus Coleman
Nathan Patterson
Michael Keane
Roman Dixon
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Harrison Armstrong
Jesper Lindstrom
Beto
