Joe Thomas: Sean Dyche should be able to pick the team that will decide Everton’s Premier League fate. In the aftermath of the defeat to Newcastle United, he suggested Seamus Coleman should be fit to return at Leicester City. His return to the starting line up is a no brainer.
With Abdoulaye Doucoure and Amadou Onana both getting games on Thursday following first team absences, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin getting another match under his belt, everything is in place for Everton to approach this crucial match with their Plan A.
The only question left, for me, is at centre back. James Tarkowski has been one of Everton’s best players this season. But this is a defence that has conceded seven goals in three games and, in reality, it could have been so much worse. Change is needed, even if only to show that the latest collapse can not be accepted.
Coleman solves the problem on the right of defence and Yerry Mina gets his chance in the middle for me. We know he has injury issues. But Everton’s story is no longer one of finding settled partnerships, it’s about creating the best opportunities for maximum points. This is Mina’s time.
My team (4-5-1): Pickford: Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Mina, Coleman; McNeil, Onana, Gueye, Doucoure, Iwobi; Calvert-Lewin.
READ MORE: Sean Dyche highlights double Everton frustration after Finch Farm talks
READ MORE: Gary Neville and Micah Richards agree on 'monumental' Everton claim as relegation worries outlined
Chris Beesley: The general consensus is that the game at Leicester City is a game Everton simply cannot afford to lose.
After being beaten 3-1 by Fulham, your archetypical 'on the beach' side at this stage of the season in what used to be the Blues' biggest home banker, a second straight Goodison Park collapse, 4-1 against Newcastle United has left loyal but long-suffering Evertonians wondering just what can be done to rouse their struggling side as despite one of the most-raucous and spectacular welcomes in Goodison Park history, including a Gwladys Street banner that urged the players to "fight for us", they still surrendered in meek fashion. That was in fairness a high-flying Magpies outfit though who remain on course for Champions League football but at the King Power Stadium, Sean Dyche's side face an opponent also in the relegation zone and just a point better off than themselves.
Just under a year ago, Everton triumphed 2-1 in the corresponding fixture but they've only won once on the road in the Premier League since, at rock bottom Southampton back on October 1 so if they're to improve on their dismal recent run of one victory from their last 10 matches, big improvements are required. Dyche is getting his key players back to help with the survival effort given that fit-again Dominic Calvert-Lewin has now started the last two matches while Amadou Onana and Abdoulaye Doucoure returned from injury and suspension respectively last time out.
The full-back areas, particularly on the right remain the Blues' Achilles heel though and Ben Godfrey surely has to make way here, hopefully with captain Seamus Coleman fit enough to return although throughout the skipper's absence, the manager's unwillingness to pick Nathan Patterson has remained something of a head-scratcher for many.
My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Coleman, Mykolenko, Keane, Tarkowski; Gueye, Doucoure, Onana, Iwobi, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin.
Connor O'Neill: Sean Dyche simply has to make changes to his Everton side for tonight’s game.
Starting at the back, Michael Keane should drop out for Yerry Mina, with Seamus Coleman, if he’s fit, coming in on for Ben Godfrey. If the Blues’ skipper isn’t fit enough to start, then Nathan Patterson should be given the nod.
In midfield, James Garner, Amadou Onana and Abdoulaye Doucoure should make up the three in the middle. Idrissa Gueye has struggled in recent weeks and now is the time to change things up.
Then out wide, Demarai Gray should come in for Dwight McNeil, with Alex Iwobi starting on the right. Gray, as we saw against Manchester City, is one of the few players who can produce something out of nothing in the Everton squad.
And up top, Dominic Calvert-Lewin simply has to lead the line for the Blues. He is the club’s only hope of a goal at the minute.
My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Mina, Mykolenko; Iwobi, Garner, Onana, Gray, Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin.
READ NEXT
- Sean Dyche highlights double Everton frustration after Finch Farm talks
- Sean Dyche tells Everton players how to unleash Dominic Calvert-Lewin
- Gary Neville and Micah Richards agree on 'monumental' Everton claim as relegation worries outlined
- Abdoulaye Doucoure makes major Everton fan admission before Leicester clash
- Everton Premier League survival route clear after Leeds and Southampton boosts
