Everton are back in Premier League action this Friday night against Arsenal. The importance of recent Premier League games have paled in comparison to the news that broke earlier in the week of the proposed European Super League.
But with that preposterous idea put on the back burner, at least for now, Everton can regain focus on the league and look to finish the season strong with their seven remaining fixtures.
The Toffees haven’t been in the best of form of late and are winless in their last six fixtures in all competitions. However, due to other teams dropping points and the Blues still having games in hand on their rivals, there is still a chance that the Blues can break into the top six and qualify for European football next season.
Tomorrow’s opponents, Arsenal, may consider themselves one of the ‘Big Six’ clubs in England but are currently languishing in 9th place in the Premier League and look unlikely to qualify for the Europe League next season, let alone the Champions League.
Friday’s fixture presents an opportunity for Everton to not only put themselves in a strong position for European qualification, but also dent their opponents hopes of the same goal, further establishing the fact that the right to compete in such competitions are earned and not given.
Here’s how we think the Blues will line-up against Arsenal:
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford returned to the Everton squad against Tottenham in last week’s 2-2 draw and put in a decent display, not being at fault for either of the goal’s conceded.
With Robin Olsen expected to leave the club in the Summer, Pickford will likely be Everton’s first choice goalkeeper for the remaining games of the season and he will be hoping to convince both Carlo Ancelotti and Gareth Southgate that he can be relied upon for both club and country over the coming months.