Game used for reference: Liverpool 4-0 Accrington Stanley, 2024-2025 FA Cup Round Three
In this match, Stanley lined up in a 4-4-2 diamond formation, playing with double strikers and a roaming 10 behind them. The midfield and defensive structure changed depending on the opponents last season, but that front three combination was fairly common, and it was showcased against Liverpool.
When they didn't have the ball, one of the two central midfielders would occasionally join the two strikers to create a front three to press. Other times, it was the CAM that would slot between the two strikers instead.
Their in-possession shape was similar, although Stanley didn't have too many opportunities to truly build up from the back. For the majority of the game, they were trying to ping long balls to their strikers and hope that the ball would bounce in their favor.
So, what can we expect from them against Everton? I suspect that the two-striker system will stay the same, but since both teams will be experimenting with different players, I do expect to see Stanley with more of the ball.
Everton will have to be careful and closely mark the opposition's front line of two to make sure no loose balls reach their own third, because Stanley are more than capable of making runs in behind and causing danger.
Offensively, Everton can take advantage of Stanley's standard pressing shape. If the Toffees build up traditionally with two center backs, two fullbacks, and a deep-lying midfielder, they could easily create a 5v3 or 5v4 overload in possession depending on where Stanley deploy their midfielders. Perhaps it would be a good opportunity to assess how well the team does under pressure since Stanley are unafraid to man-mark at times, even against top teams like Liverpool.
Let's be realistic, though. Both of these teams will be rusty, and I am sure there will be plenty of mistakes on both sides. Also, I'm confident that plenty of academy kids will see minutes.
Still, it'll be interesting to see how David Moyes approaches this match both with and without the ball. Moyes has a reputation for being open to adaptation, and perhaps some of the ideas we see tomorrow will stick throughout the season.