Rafa Benitez will be hoping to guide Everton back to winning ways
After a Halloween horror against Watford last Sunday, Everton travel to the west midlands to face Wolves. Bruno Lage’s side sits 11th in the Premier League table, one point behind the Toffees.
Everton sit 9th as they returned to mid table mediocrity after two consecutive home defeats to West Ham and Watford, bringing an end to the plucky upstart. Perhaps, the loss to West Ham was still gulp able but the 5-2 thrashing to relegation candidates Watford felt like a sharp knife stabbing in an already aching wound.
Like Everton, Wolves struck changes at the managerial level this summer as Nuno Espirito Santo left the club after four years at the helm and in came Lage. The Molineux tenants have so far struggled to establish themselves under the new boss, managing just one home win in four games.
Wolves side have lacked the bite in attack as well, having scored just nine goals in nine games, which is the joint second lowest goal tally in the table. Despite the shaky start, a win for Wolves will see them move ahead of Toffees in the table.
For the Toffees, misfortune came crashing down on the team as Abdoulaye Doucoure, their best performer this season, picked up injury in the West Ham game. The tireless workhorse’s absence was evident against Watford and fears grew over his absence. Thankfully, the injury didn’t turn out as serious as it looked and what was expected to be six weeks on the sidelines, will only be a four week spell on the treatment table, boosting the Frenchman’s chances of returning to the side after the International break.
Yerry Mina, who was dearly missed in the rearguard against Watford, will continue to watch his side on TV as he remains unfit for the trip to Molineux. Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains the other long term absentee, meanwhile, Fabian Delph has returned to training. Richarlison could be in contention to start the game.
Here is the Everton predicted lineup vs Wolves:
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford had a nightmare against Watford, conceding five goals. The England No.1 has struggled with his distribution lately and he will need to correct it in order to provide the required support.
Even though the defence ahead of him has let him down on a number of occasions, Pickford has managed to make some brilliant saves. Wolves have been inefficient in front of the goal which eases some of Pickford’s work but the 27 year old cannot put a foot wrong as the Merseysiders aim to return to winning ways.