No game used for reference
Under Graham Potter’s leadership, West Ham averaged 1.11 points in the Premier League, lower than the 1.55 points Moyes managed to average with Everton last year.
Potter is someone who isn’t afraid to play with three center backs and use wing backs for width and verticality. He’s shown before that he’s fine with players drifting from their positions in favor for overloads and opportunities.
Everton should be prepared to face off against a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2, and if Moyes wants to succeed against this squad, he’d be wise to counter West Ham’s verticality with extra men in the middle of the pitch. If Potter decides to leave the middle of the pitch vacant, Everton could strike with Ndiaye and Charly in the middle causing chaos. Defensively, the full backs will also have to be up to task against West Ham’s wing backs. This game would be a perfect opportunity to see how new signing Aznou manages defensively against a Premier League side.
This game also screams Thierno Barry’s name. He’s obviously still getting acclimated to the squad, but he could do a fine job pinning West Ham’s center backs and leaving even space for Everton’s CAMs to take.
Beto could also do that, but considering Everton know what they have with him, seeing Barry in the starting lineup would give Moyes a bigger sample size of the young Frenchman.
While it’s clear that West Ham will be a challenge, Everton do have the capabilities to win and to do so convincingly. The game will be won by whoever controls the tempo and minimizes risk. If Everton can contain West Ham on the flanks, they’ll have space inside to do a fine job. I have Everton winning this match 2-1. Barry with a brace. You heard it here first!