Everton predicted line-up, Ancelotti to return to 4-3-3

Everton will play in front of supporters in their last home outing of the season. Look for Carlo Ancelotti to play a 4-3-3 in hopes to recapture the swagger of the early part of the season. So here’s the predicted line-up as the Toffees’ hope to make the best of a slim chance for European football.

Goalkeeper

Jordan Pickford

Boy has Pickford turned his season around. After being seen as the weakest link in this Everton side with fans calling for him to be dropped or even sold.

However, as the Blues have slumped, Pickford’s form has gotten better in almost inverse proportions. He’s made serious saves and Everton defenders should be gaining in confidence as Pickford controls his box. All of a sudden, the England No. 1 has emerged as the most important player for Everton and has put himself in the running for player of the year for the team.

With Pickford, playing the way he is Everton should go into just about every game with a chance of winning. To do that, the Blues need to score goals, something that doesn’t happen with regularity, especially at home. The Toffees have scored 23 goals at Goodison in 18 matches, which includes nine in the first two matches.

Defenders

Seamus Coleman (RB); Michael Keane (CB); Yerry Mina (CB); Lucas Digne (LB)

Look for Ancelotti to give both Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate a rest as they both have had tough games recently.

Captain Coleman will start at right-back and be given rein to rampage down the wing. As a captain steeped in what it means to put on the Royal Blue Jersey, he’ll let his teammates know they have to put in a performance full of desire in front of supporters in Goodison Park.

For much of the season, Keane has been solid and after being left out of the last England squad, he will want to show Gareth Southgate, he belongs in the Euro squad. Keane has also chipped in with a few goals and Everton need goals from just about any source.

Speaking of goals, the 6-foot-5 Mina can be a disruptive influence in the opponents box from corners and free kicks. It’s been a disappointing season for the towering Colombian as injuries and the emergence of Ben Godfrey have cost him playing time. While there has been talk of his exit, nothing really concrete has emerged.

If he is fit, Digne is almost always certain to start. A member of the French Euro Championship squad, he provides width and some telling balls from his crosses and set plays. He has seven assists in 28 matches this season. He hasn’t scored yet this season and if he does against Wolves, the 6,500 or so supporters in Goodison could make the Grand Old Lady rock.

Midfielders

Tom Davies (DM); Alan (CM); Abdoulaye Doucoure (CM)

Ancelotti will turn to Davies to play in front of the back four. His positional awareness and tidy play will allow Coleman and Digne to go forward and provide width.

Davies’ presence will also allow his midfield partners to play more of an offensive role. As an academy graduate and nephew of former Everton player Alan Whittle, he is another player who understands what the Royal Blue jersey means and what supporters expect.

When Alan was signed in the summer, it was expected he would be the holding or defensive midfielder. However, the Brazilian has been more versatile during his career. He’s willing to take players on, but that can cause problems if he does it in and around his own penalty area. He remains a talented footballer, but he is better suited to playing higher in central midfield.

Doucoure has returned quicker than expected from a broken foot and his pace and power have been missed. He can run all day and his physical presence can be intimidating. With Davies providing cover it’s likely he and Alan will be getting forward, after all, Everton need somebody to do it.

Attackers

James Rodriguez (RW); Dominic Calvert-Lewin (CF); Richarlison (LW)

Rodriguez provides most of the creativity in this edition of Everton. He won’t really play out wide, he’ll tuck in and play more of an old-fashioned inside forward’s role.

He’ll give Coleman space to overlap. The Colombian international also has a wonderful touch and can pick out a pass. His ability to thread the ball through defenders and switch the ball with a touch should be devasting. In 23 matches, he has six goals and four assists.

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Calvert-Lewin will lead the line and still has an outside chance to reach 20 league goals this season. He has 16 so far. And, despite a recent slump, he remains Everton’s best bet for a goal.

As befits somebody, who wears the No. 9 jersey, he is powerful in the air and seems to be able to out jump most defenders. He knows good performances as the season ends will push his claim for a spot in England’s Euros squad.

Richarlison will play on the other flank and also cut inside to give Digne space. It hasn’t been a season, he will want to remember, although it’s likely he will for the wrong reasons.

He seems to have lost his scoring touch with only six league tallies this season. He still contributes as he always willing to track back and play defense. He was signed to score goals and be an offensive force, though, and he hasn’t really done that at the rate that was expected at him.

This is another ”must-win” match for Everton. What do you think – will this line-up and formation give Everton supporters a reason to sing in the final game of the season at Goodison Park?