How often do Everton take in Manchester City with the Toffees being the more in-form side?
While Everton have lost just two of their last 12 games (admittedly with more than their share of goalless draws), City have bizarrely lost 9 of their own last 12 games, winning just once.
So, the Blues should have some confidence that they might be able to get a first win over City since they battered them 4-0 way back in 2017.
Manchester United have been abysmal since the appointment of Ruben Amorim but even they thumped the Blues in an error-strewn performance, so how will Mr Dyche line-up his mighty Everton for victory away at the Mancunians?
Who’s Out?
Not too much news on the injury front. Dwight McNeil is nearing a return but probably won’t be ready for this one, while Tim Iroegbunam and James Garner should return at some point in January.
Ashley Young is suspended for this one after picking up his fifth yellow of the season.
Armando Broja returns after being ineligible to face his parent club, Chelsea.
EVERTON SQUAD AVAILABLE VS ARSENAL
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Virginia, Begovic
Defenders: Keane, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, O’Brien, Mykolenko, Coleman, Patterson, Young (SUSPENDED), Dixon
Midfielders: Doucoure, Gueye, Garner (INJURED), Iroegbuman (INJURED), Mangala, Armstrong
Wingers: McNeil (DOUBT), Harrison, Ndiaye, Lindstrom
Attackers: Calvert-Lewin, Beto, Chermiti, Broja
Tactics and Formation
Dyche will be forced to make at least one change for this one, with Young ruled out through suspension.
It seems like Coleman is above Patterson in the right-back pecking order, as he came off the bench against Chelsea, so he’ll probably start here.
I don’t foresee any other changes to the backline or midfield. But Lindstrom could come in for Harrison who wasted at least one gilt-edged chance to score against Chelsea.
I’ve also got a feeling Armando Broja could be in line for a first start for the Blues here, at the expense of goal-shy Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with Beto barely any better.
There should be no shortage of striking options on the bench too, with Chermiti also available.
Starters (likelihood of starting rated out of 10)
Jordan Pickford – 9/10
Seamus Coleman – 7/10
Jarrad Branthwaite – 9/10
James Tarkowski – 9/10
Vitaliy Mykolenko – 9/10
Idrissa Gana Gueye – 9/10
Orel Mangala – 8/10
Abdoulaye Doucoure – 8/10
Jesper Lindstrøm – 6/10
Iliman Ndiaye – 9/10
Armando Broja – 6/10
Bench
Joao Virginia
Nathan Patterson
Jake O’Brien
Michael Keane
Jack Harrison
Harrison Armstrong
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Beto
Youssef Chermiti
