Everton vs Wolves
Date: 02/02/2019
K/O: 15:00
Venue: Goodison Park
Referee: Lee Mason
Another crucial mid table clash will play out at Goodison Park when Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves, who sit 8th on 35 points, face off against Marco Silva’s Everton, one place below them on 33 points.
Both come into the game off midweek victories, Wolves with a 3-0 drumming at home against West Ham while Everton battled away at Huddersfield to earn a 1-0 win, partly with 10 men.
Everton’s form has been below par in recent weeks for their expectations, but an away win against the relegation-battling Terriers could be the revival they need. A win on Saturday will put them above their opponents but only thanks to their good start this season. Another positive for the Toffees is that they claimed their first clean sheet away since Chelsea on November 11. With this, Everton will not be looking to tinker with their defence unless their hand is forced.
Everton’s poor run of form has come with difficult fixtures however, they were also defeated by a struggling Brighton and Southampton. Everton can only target a 7th place finish in the table but will have to prove that they’re ready to take on the top six by beating Wolves at home. Their resolute and defiant performance is a step forward and will need to call upon their key players to keep improving their form such as Richarlison; the Brazilian has scored two goals in his last two games.
Wolves are visiting Meresyside in fine scoring form, having netted four against Leicester and three against West Ham while keeping a clean sheet. They answered the concerns from their manager of their poor home form and consistency with a comfortable victory.
On the road Wolves have been impressive and beat Spurs at Wembley a month ago. The victories against Leicester and West Ham prevented these teams jumping above Wolves in the table, showing their strong form against teams around them.
Wolves continue their push for 7th and have mounted a serious threat to other established Premier League teams upon their return to the top-flight of English footbal. They too have had inconsistencies in their performances and have failed to keep Molineux as a formidable as it was in their promotion season from the Championship.
Wolves have prevailed and have stuck to Santo’s tactics and ethos when it seemed to be failing. Taking the scalps of Liverpool and Tottenham at the back end of December proved how good they can be. This is a good opportunity to add to their goal tally against an Everton side who have struggled defensively.
Team News
Everton will miss defender Lucas Digne who was sent off in the later stages against Huddersfield. However, Digne was bought in to replace Leighton Baines who was taken off because of a rib injury he suffered against Huddersfield. Jonjoe Kenny was called upon as a make-shift left back and may be recalled, reprising the same role on Saturday.
Another defender with an injury concern was Yerry Mina who picked up a knock against Milwall in their embarrassing FA Cup defeat. Marco Silva confirmed that it wasn’t anything serious and he could be in contention for a position in the starting line-up.
Another doubt is Idrissa Gueye but not for injury reasons. PSG had a bid rejected for the combative midfielder and it remains unclear if Gueye will feature on Saturday at Goodison.
Wolves will have centre-half, Boly, available for selection since serving the three-match ban he picked up against Man City and will likely be put back in the starting line-up. Despite Wolves’ lack of depth in their squad, they have been fortunate this season and have not suffered many injuries. The story continues to be the same and there are no fresh concerns for Nuno regarding the injury list.
Wolves striking pair of Jimenez and Jota have contributed to five of their last seven goals. Their clean sheet came against a lacklustre West Ham but Wolves have been prone to conceding goals although they tend to keep tight and structured in their away fixtures.
Predicted Starting XIs
Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Kenny, Keane, Zouma, Coleman; Davies, Gomes; Richarlison, Bernard, Lookman; Tosun.
Wolves (3-5-2): Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Dendoncker, Neves, Jonny, Moutinho; Jimenez, Jota.
Prediction: Everton 1 Wolves 2
The reverse fixture at Molineux was the first game of the season and was the first of many dramatic games at Molineux. It ended in a 2-2 draw and a dismissal of Phil Jagielka from the Everton back line. Wolves have found some form and have seen off other mid-table competitors like Leicester and West Ham in their last two games whereas Everton can boast a ten-man victory against Huddersfield.
Wolves are also in great scoring form which won’t sit comfortably with a leaky Everton side. Wolves have failed to beat Everton in seven league matches since a 2-1 win in May 2004 but this statistic is clutching at straws for Everton fans. Wolves will create chances and their current form will suggest they will score but their defence still have work to do. I see them grabbing another important three points on the road at Goodison.
