Everton travel to the London Stadium this Saturday to take on Slaven Bilic’s West Ham as they continue their chase for European qualification.
Ronald Koeman’s side have been in terrific form since the turn of the year, and have climbed to seventh place in the table, level on points with Arsenal – although the Gunners do have two games in hand.
The Toffees have won their last seven consecutive home matches and have lost only once at Goodison Park since the turn of the year. While they started the year brightly away from home, Everton have struggled on the road in recent weeks, stumbling to defeats at Liverpool and Tottenham, as well as being held to frustrating draws at Stoke, Middlesborough and Manchester United.
If Lukaku and co. are to propel themselves into the fight for Europa League football, they will have to find the sort of form away from home to match that they have shown on Merseyside. A trip to east London could be the perfect place to start, however, the boys in blue will have to be at their best to overcome a resurgent West Ham, who find themselves in a relegation dogfight.
Here is the starting XI that Ronald Koeman should name ahead of the clash …
GK – Joel Robles
Joel was at fault for Burnley’s only goal last weekend in the 3-1 victory over Sean Dyche’s men at Goodison Park. The Spaniard brought down Sam Vokes in calamitous fashion before the striker duly converted the spot-kick. The keeper hasn’t kept a
The Spanish ‘keeper hasn’t kept a clean sheet so far in April so will look to change that this weekend.
RB – Mason Holgate
Born and bred as a centre-half, Holgate has been a fine stand-in for the injured Seamus Coleman over the past few weeks and hasn’t looked out of his comfort zone out on the touchline. Following in the footsteps of John Stones, Holgate – who also signed from Barnsley – is looking a bright talent with a big part to play in Everton’s future.
Following in the footsteps of John Stones, Holgate – who also signed from Barnsley – is looking like a bright talent with a big part to play in Everton’s future.
CB – Ashley Williams
A contender for the signing of the season, Williams has represented great value for money at £12m and has established himself as a leader at Goodison Park just as he was at the Liberty Stadium with former club Swansea.
The Welshman took a little while to adjust to life with the Toffees but has come into his own and has become an integral part of Ronald Koeman’s side.
CB – Phil Jagielka
The veteran defender has been in glistening form lately, scoring in each of Everton’s last three games against Leicester, Manchester United and Burnley.
His newly found eye for goal has been a surprise to the Everton fans, however, they will be hoping the Englishman can get himself on the scoresheet again this weekend. With the veteran in form like this, the injured Romiro Funes Mori will struggle to get back in the side upon his return.
LB – Leighton Baines
No one can budge Baines from his position at left-back at Goodison Park. After a decade with the Merseyside club, the flying full-back is still putting in the kind of performances that he has done near enough his whole career, including at his previous club, Wigan Athletic.
With West Ham’s Michail Antonio out for the rest of the season and no stand out right-back, Baines could find himself having plenty of space to attack on Saturday so may prove dangerous to the Hammers with his consistently excellent delivery from wide areas.
RM – Kevin Mirallas
The Hammers have struggled defensively this season and will do so even more in the absence of the aforementioned Michail Antonio.
Slaven Bilic’s side look exceptionally vulnerable down the flanks and the in-form Mirallas will be looking to exploit that with his strong running ability and pace.
CM – Idrissa Gueye
So often referred to as N’Golo Kante’s understudy, Gueye has been a vital player for the Toffees this season, manning the midfield with his industrious performances.
The Senegal international will have a key role to play in nullifying the threat through the middle from the likes of West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini and Robert Snodgrass.
CM – Tom Davies
While Idrissa Gueye will be the man in charge of dealing with attacking threat from the Hammers’ midfield, the responsibility of offering a threat going the other way is likely to be left to young Tom Davies.
The youngster has had an excellent breakthrough season, and his nifty footwork and clever passing ability should cause the defensive men in West Ham’s midfield such as Edimilson Fernandes trouble if he can get in and amongst them.
LM – Ross Barkley
Barkley is possibly the most frustrating footballer in England. The boy that showed so much potential has displayed glimpses of his ability throughout his career with Everton, but has never been able to find the consistency to match. The second half of this
The second half of this season, however, Barkley seems to have finally discovered the key to performing week in, week out and has become the heartbeat of the Toffees’ midfield. If the talented midfielder can keep it up he can be the man to take the club to the next level, as well as work his way back into the England set-up under Gareth Southgate.
ST – Ademola Lookman
Lookman had an electrifying start to his Goodison Park career with a debut goal against Manchester City but has since found it hard to get on the pitch.
West Ham have big central defenders in the form of Jose Fonte and Angelo Ogbonna, meaning despite Romelu Lukaku’s size and strength, he may struggle up top on his own, especially as the Hammers will be keeping such a close eye on him. Having a partner in Lookman could be perfect.
ST – Romelu Lukaku
The Premier League’s leading goalscorer and one of the hottest properties in Europe, Lukaku is in the form of his life.
24 Premier League goals this season and 12 in his last ten make him the country’s in-form striker and have him en route for his first Golden Boot.
Linked heavily with a move away this summer, Lukaku will be desperate to keep scoring and increasing his reputation as one of Europe’s best.
Watch out, West Ham.
