Everton's predicted starting XI for trip to Chelsea | OneFootball

Everton is coming off a tough home loss to Manchester City at Goodison Park last weekend, and it doesn’t get any easier as they travel to London to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Chelsea current sit just off of the Champions League spots, two points behind Newcastle United, although they would play in the Europa League if the season ended today.

But with just four points between them and Manchester City in third, the London Blues must surely still have the world’s most pretigious competition on their minds.

Everton, on the other hand, find themselves in 13th place after the humbling defeat to City, seven points behind 12th place Crystal Palace and ahead of Manchester United and Wolves on goal differential.

While they are surely safe from relegation, the goal for the Toffees will be to stay as close to midtable as they can, even if it’s merely for morale purposes, since saying they finished ahead of supposed “bigger” clubs like United and Tottenham would be good for spirits as the club transition from Goodison Park to the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

Everton face some injury concerns heading into the match, chief among them likely missing James Tarkowski from their central defense, meaning there will be some movement along the backline.

The reverse fixture was a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on December 22, a match that saw Chelsea capture 75% of the possession, but with neither team ever grabbing a foothold in the match.

So let's take a look at who will likely be the starting XI for Saturday's matchup in London.

Predicted Everton lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1)

Everton FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League | Lewis Storey/GettyImages

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Jordan Pickford (GK): Nothing much to say here, as Pickford is the clear no.1 option between the posts.

Vitalii Mykolenko (LB): The Ukrainian has been solid over the last few weeks after an injury scare during international duty. He'll have his hands full, but he's shown himself capable up against some of the league's top talents.

Jarrad Branthwaite (CB): The England international is a penned-in starter for the club as long as he's here.

Jake O'Brien (CB): The Irishman has been entrenched at right back since he became a regular starter under David Moyes, but with Tarkowski out, it makes sense for him to slide back into his natural position next to Branthwaite.

Ashley Young (RB): Eventually, Seamus Coleman will get another start here, but there's no indication that he's any closer to playing. Maybe for the final Goodison match? But for now, it makes sense for Young to step in, given his more defensive-minded play over someone like Nathan Patterson.

Midfielders

Idrissa Gana Gueye (CDM): The Senegalese stays in the squad until he can't go. He remains remarkable in midfield for this side.

Abdoulaye Doucoure (CM): This is another shakeup, as I can see Moyes preferring the Mali international's motor and stronger defensive output to someone like James Garner.

Charly Alcaraz (CAM): As noted elsewhere, Alcaraz is a top talent and the exact type of player Everton should aim to keep around. They need to stop messing around and do what they can to keep him. The Argentine is here to help spring the counter-attack on what should be a day where Everton won't see much of the ball.

Forwards

Illiman Ndiaye (LW): Like Branthwaite, Everton's offensive talisman is a nailed-on starter for as long as he's here. He should be a good link-up with Alcaraz on the counter.

Dwight McNeil (RW): Ultimately, these two players can be fairly fluid in their position, but I think it's time for McNeil to get back into the starting XI. Jack Harrison has improved under Moyes, but the end product hasn't been there, and he's likely not much longer for the club anyway.