Everton: 3 formations Ancelotti can use against Leeds United

Everton: 3 formations Ancelotti could use against Leeds United

Everton's Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti gestures during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on October 17, 2020. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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4-3-3 has been Ancelotti’s go-to formation.

4-3-3: The most obvious one

At the start of the 2020/21 season when Everton were scoring for fun and top of the premier league, Ancelotti was using a 4-3-3. The formation brought an away win at Tottenham Hotspur and a draw in the Merseyside Derby. Taking Everton to first place in the league and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to top scorer.

However, injuries to key players and red cards for Digne and Richarlison killed the team’s momentum. The 4-3-3 has now started to cause problems. With Rodriguez drifting inside from the right of attack, he has left the right back constantly exposed. Meaning that Abdoulaye Doucoure is spending all his time having to defend the right flank instead of playing box-to-box.

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While playing 4-3-3 Everton formed the dangerous habit of conceding two goals almost every game. Ancelotti also regularly switched his centre back pairing in the formation which has not helped give the defence any consistency.

Such a bad defensive record playing with the formation means sticking with the 3-4-3 could be wise against the threat of Leeds and their in-form striker Patrick Bamford.