Following Dyche’s updates and match preview ahead of the Crystal Palace clash, Star is set to make a rare start.
Sean Dyche could be set to make some changes to his Everton starting lineup ahead of the Premier League clash with Crystal Palace this weekend.
The Toffees have won five of their previous eight games in all competitions and will try to escape the relegation zone with a win at Selhurst Park.
Jordan Pickford is one man whose position in the team is safe for as long as he is fit, as is the place of central defenders Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski.
The former is one of those who has a knock but he is expected to be fit to play, while Vitalii Mykolenko should continue at left-back. Ashley Young could find himself on the bench after a red card and own goal in his last two starts, allowing Nathan Patterson to stake his claim for a place in the lineup.
In midfield James Garner is a key member of the energetic side that Dyche has built, and Amadou Onana would usually be one of the first names on the team sheet. But the Belgian missed the draw with Brighton last week with a calf problem, and could miss out once again meaning Idrissa Gueye gets another start.
Abdoulaye Doucoure continues to shine whenever he’s on the pitch and his place as the highest-earning player in the squad means he will start in his more advanced role in midfield.
Jack Harrison has been excellent on the right since recovering from injury, and Dyche could look to add more pace and goal threat to the side by handing fellow loanee Arnaut Danjuma a rare start on the left ahead of Dwight McNeil.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin continues to be fit and available, and he will surely start as he looks to add to his four goals and one assist in his last eight appearances for the Toffees.
Everton head to south London to take on Crystal Palace on Saturday looking to maintain a mini run of form that suggests this winter may not be as bleak as the last two we have endured.
There was obvious disappointment at conceding a late equaliser against Brighton, but the manner of the battling performance suggests the team is finally developing a tough streak that makes them hard to beat.
For too long Everton have been a soft touch, with opponents able to cut through them seemingly at will. But Sean Dyche seems to have hit upon a line-up and tactical layout that works. It brought back memories of some of David Moyes’ early teams. What they lacked in quality they attempted to make up for in desire and organisation. And you knew that they would be tough to beat and any opponent would have to play well to win.
You only to look at the meeting with Brighton at Goodison last season, with the Seagulls waltzing their way to a 4-1 victory in what would be one of Frank Lampard’s final home games in charge.
They are small steps of course, with plenty of bumps in the road, one of which being a paucity of options beyond the first XI. But it feels like the tanker may just be turning in the right direction.
The opposition
Crystal Palace are currently enjoying their 10th successive season in the Premier League, their best ever run of top-flight football. What’s also impressive is they have rarely flirted with relegation in that time, never finishing below 15th.
The key now is how to push on, which is something they have found tricky. Patrick Vieira looked to be the kind of young coach to drive the Eagles forwards, leading them to an FA Cup semi-final in 2022 (thrashing Everton along the way), but he was sacked last spring after a poor run over the winter, paving the way for Roy Hodgson to return, initially on an interim basis before signing a one-year deal in the summer.
Previous meeting
Crystal Palace 0-0 Everton, 22 April 202
The two sides played out a nervy goalless draw in April, with the Eagles perhaps the happier of the sides as it opened up a nine-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.
Team news
Amadou Onana is expected to feature despite missing the Brighton game with a minor injury.
Jarrad Branthwaite is carrying a knock and Abdoulate Doucoure has been suffering from illness, but both have resumed full training and are expected to be available at Selhurst Park.
Seamus Coleman featured for the U21s in midweek as he continues his return from a serious knee injury but is unlikely to feature.
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