A relegation dogfight will ensue in the Premier League when Everton host fellow strugglers Southampton at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Everton, Frank Lampard, and owner Farhad Moshiri dominated the headlines this week as the latter insisted on keeping faith in the manager despite a terrible run of results ahead of the game against Southampton. The Toffees, under the former Chelsea boss, only have a 28.6% win rate, while they are currently on a run of eight matches without a win.
The official word may soothe Lampard, but things are not bright on the pitch. Fans are losing confidence by the day, and results are not forthcoming. Their terrible loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup third round was only the latest setback, and Everton are likely to repeat last season’s relegation dogfight.
They can take confidence from their recent record against fellow relegation battlers Southampton. Everton have won their last 17 home meetings against the Saints and could complete a double over them this season. A victory will boost the supporters’ confidence in Lampard, which will surely help in a plausible relegation fight.
A similar story ensues on the other side, with Southampton sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table. As the club was stuttering with their form in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s reign, Nathan Jones’s arrival has not transpired according to plan.
New game.
New focus.Onto the #PL 👊 pic.twitter.com/eoUH14IKFT
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 13, 2023
Jones has lost each of his four Premier League games in charge, conceding ten goals in the process. He will hope to see a revival in the form to help the club out of their current slumber. While the competition above them is intense, Southampton are still within touching distance of escaping the drop zone.
There is more reason to remain optimistic about their chances against Everton after Southampton beat Manchester City convincingly at St. Mar’s in the League Cup quarter-final. However, their recent results against the Toffees remain dismal, and Jones will hope the buck stops on Saturday.
Team News & Tactics
Everton
Frank says there will be a late check on Alex Iwobi to see if he is available for #EVESOU. pic.twitter.com/G2X98AaYaq
— Everton (@Everton) January 13, 2023
Everton lost key player Alex Iwobi to a nasty injury after a terrible tackle from Manchester United left-back Tyrell Malacia. He joins Nathan Patterson, James Garner, Michael Keane, and Andros Townsend on the sidelines and will remain unavailable for the foreseeable future.
Abdoulaye Doucoure is the natural replacement for Iwobi in the starting eleven. The midfielder will lineup alongside Idrisa Gueye and Amadou Onana in the centre. Lampard is expected to go with an attacking shape and drop Ben Godfrey from the lineup.
Conor Coady and James Tarkowski are set to feature at the heart of the Everton defence, with Seamus Coleman and Vitaliy Mykolenko as full-backs. Jordan Pickford has no real competition to challenge for the No.1 spot, as he will remain in goal.
In the attack, Lampard will decide on involving either Dwight McNeil or Anthony Gordon on the left side of the attack. Dominic Calvert-Lewin will continue leading the line, while Demarai Gray will remain in the front three. He will play on the right side if McNeil starts, but he could remain on his side with Gordon on the team.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Doucoure, Gueye, Onana; Gordon, Calvert-Lewin, Gray
Southampton
Nathan Jones also has his share of injury troubles at Southampton. As many as five players, including second-choice keeper Alex McCarthy, are likely to miss. Theo Walcott, Juan Larios, Tino Livramento, and Armel Bella-Kotchap are all sidelined with problems.
Tactics writer @stighefootball highlights the influence of the returning @RomeoLavia 💫 pic.twitter.com/8LOOL6JxZy
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 13, 2023
Livramento suffered a setback in his recovery from the ACL injury, picking up a muscle problem. Jones might go with the same starting lineup that defeated Manchester City. The team has had plenty of time to rest and recuperate, and the group seemed united in the League Cup clash.
Jones also allayed fears regarding Romeo Lavia, insisting his withdrawal was pre-planned. The holding midfielder is expected to remain in the lineup and partner Ibrahima Diallo in the centre. Lyanco could play right back at the back, while Kyle Walker-Peters switching to the left.
James Ward-Prowse will play a bit more advanced than usual and support attackers Moussa Djenepo and Adam Armstrong on either side of him. Sekou Mara will continue to lead the line after some decent performances in the central role.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Bazunu; Lyanco, Caleta-Car, Salisu, Walker-Peters; Lavia, Diallo; Djenepo, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong; Mara
Key Stats
- After losing their last three home games, another defeat on Saturday will be Everton’s worst streak since 1958.
- Everton are undefeated in their last 17 home matches against Southampton in all competitions.
- Everton have failed to win their last six matches in the Premier League.
- Southampton has lost their last six matches in the Premier League.
- Southampton has won their last two games in a row in cup competitions against Crystal Palace and Manchester City.
Player to Watch
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
The English striker has endured a torrid last 18 months for Everton, with injuries playing a big part in his absence. The Toffees sorely missed his presence as they battled relegation last season. But Frank Lampard will have been thankful to have Richarlison then.
The Brazilian international has moved clubs since then, and the pressure is on Calvert-Lewin to perform. A consistent run of games will come in handy for the striker. But the onus will be on him to put in a star showing against Southampton.
Whether he performs or continues to sink in his misery will be a test of character for the forward. If the performances do not improve, Everton may have to resort to the transfer market for a striker. They have already shown interest in several players, including Oscar Estupinan.
Prediction
Everton 1-1 Southampton
This fixture, particularly at Goodison Park, has favoured Everton in recent years, but this time that may change. The Saints are in a better mood right now than the Toffees. Hence, they will come to Merseyside in full flow and look to hurt Frank Lampard’s man.
Yet, the Everton boss will likely keep faith in the experience of Conor Coady and James Tarkowski to stop the Southampton attackers. The game seems poised to end in a draw, but there could be goals in the encounter.