Everton host Leeds United at Goodison Park this afternoon and Frank Lampard will be hoping to secure the Toffees’ first Premier League win in seven games in front of the home fans.
The ex-Chelsea boss will be under pressure to gain points today, with the Toffees currently facing a huge risk of being pulled into a relegation battle in the remaining months of the season, and further injuries have plagued the squad since Lampard’s arrival less than two weeks ago.
Demarai Gray, Ben Godfrey, Yerry Mina and Abdoulaye Doucoure have all sustained knocks and remain sidelined for the clash against Leeds today, which will leave Lampard with plenty to ponder when he goes to select his team to start.
Football Fancast has predicted the starting XI that Lampard may put out against their Yorkshire opponents this afternoon…
We expect Lampard to make three changes to the side he put out against Newcastle United on Tuesday night, reverting to a 4-3-2-1 formation in this must-win clash.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to start for the first time under Lampard after sustaining a knock ahead of the FA Cup victory against Brentford in the manager’s first game in charge. The striker has been in training ever since and was on the bench at St James’ Park, so he is likely to make his return to the starting line-up to add a proven attacking threat for Everton.
Another attacking threat we predict to see in the starting line-up this afternoon is £100k-p/w January signing Dele Alli, who could make his full Toffees debut today to replace Gray.
The 25-year-old, who has been dubbed a “machine” by Rio Ferdinand, was unable to make an impact when he was brought into the game against Newcastle in midweek, but Lampard will likely give him another chance to shine by granting him the opportunity to start today and grow into the game from the outset.
The third change we expect to see is Jonjoe Kenny replacing Mykolenko in the left-back position after Lampard confirmed that the Ukrainian left back would not be available to play against Leeds due to a positive virus test.
If the Toffees can secure a win against Leeds, they will close the gap on the Whites, who sit four points ahead of them in the Premier League table. It would also pull them further away from the relegation zone, but defeat could put Everton in an hugely vulnerable position which could see them dropping into the relegation zone if Newcastle and Norwich win their games this weekend.
In other news: Lampard reveals another setback ahead of Leeds clash