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Everton v Southampton: Match Preview

By Matt Townsend

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Nathan Redmond of Southampton battles for possession with Seamus Coleman of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park on May 5, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Nathan Redmond of Southampton battles for possession with Seamus Coleman of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park on May 5, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /
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After an opening day draw at Wolves, Everton face Southampton this weekend as the new Premier League season gathers pace.

As we’ve previously mentioned there was plenty of positives for Everton to build on from that 2-2 game at Molineux.

Richarlison’s debut double strike and the way the Blues responded to going a man down were big pluses. However there were also some long-standing problems in evidence that still need attention, in particular the Blues defensive weaknesses.

So despite those reservations, Everton fans can approach the first home game of the season in a reasonably confident mood against a Southampton side that also started with a draw after a goalless match against Burnley.

It’s important for the Blues to win this first home match of the season. Everton are fortunate to have a number of early fixtures that are, at least on paper, winnable with games against Bournemouth and Huddersfield coming after tomorrow’s match.

But of course those games still have to be won on the pitch.

It will be interesting to see if manager Marco Silva gives debuts to some or all of his new signings (apart from Andre Gomes who is injured).

It seems likely that both of the defenders signed on deadline day, Yerry Mina or Kurt Zouma will feature. The likelihood is that both will be starting perhaps alongside Michael Keane if the Blues play with three at the back.

The Frenchman has had an up and down career in England since joining Chelsea. After a year-long loan at Stoke last season he is now an Everton player for this campaign.

Mina is a defender that could add not just real defensive strength and aerial threat and quality on the ball. With him and Zouma joining Keane and also Mason Holgate, the Blues have some real strength in depth at centre back.

Up front Brazilian Bernard might well get his chance to show what he can do. Many Everton fans are probably excited by the prospect of seeing what the diminutive forward is capable of bringing to the Blues attack.

Tomorrow’s opponents Southampton endured a season even more difficult that Everton last time round.

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Perhaps the Saints strategy of selling on their best players each year for a big profit, finally caught up with them last season as they almost slipped out of the league. But with Mark Hughes taking over late on they avoided the drop.

Last season Southampton, like Everton, struggled to score many goals and conceded plenty. The Saints scored less than a goal a game and conceded more than one per match too, not surprising for a team that was nearly relegated.

Southampton have also not spent much this summer to strengthen and so you would expect them to have a struggle again to survive this season.

This then represents a very winnable game for the Blues and three points should be achievable giving Everton their first win of the new campaign.