Sport nationEverton is gearing up for a pivotal match against Burnley at Goodison Park, aiming to secure their first league victory of 2024. Following a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United, where Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty salvaged a point for the Toffees, Everton is under pressure to perform and escape the relegation zone.
Despite the draw at St James’ Park, Everton’s performance in 2024 has been lackluster, with the team yet to secure a win in the Premier League this year. The upcoming game against Burnley is seen as a critical opportunity for Everton to gain much-needed points.
One significant change suggested for the upcoming match involves midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure. After a disappointing performance against Newcastle, where Doucoure won only 20% of his duels, it’s proposed that he be benched to allow for a more effective lineup against Burnley.
The potential starting XI for Everton against Burnley could see Jordan Pickford in goal, who has been instrumental in keeping Everton’s hopes alive with his exceptional saves. The defense might include Ben Godfrey at right-back, Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski as center-backs, and Vitaliy Mykolenko at left-back.
In midfield, Ashley Young could take up the right-midfield position, with Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye central, and Dwight McNeil on the left. James Garner is tipped to start in the attacking midfield role, following a strong substitute appearance against Newcastle. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, fresh from scoring his first league goal since October, is expected to lead the line as the sole striker.
This lineup aims to capitalize on the strengths of Everton’s squad, with a mix of experience and youth. The inclusion of Garner in the starting XI is particularly noteworthy, as his energy and ball-striking ability could provide the creative spark Everton needs.
As Everton prepares to face Burnley, the team’s focus is on securing a win that could be crucial for their Premier League survival. With strategic changes to the lineup and a determined effort from the players, Everton hopes to turn their fortunes around and start climbing away from the relegation zone.
Citations:
[1] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/5413945/a6c4a2b8-1829-481b-9d2a-8f8ed9939507/paste.txt
Sport nation
Sport Nation 2