Everton head to St. James' Park to take on Newcastle United on Saturday, as the Toffees look to continue their positive results on the road.
The Blues' trip will be a relatively healthy one, with only Jack Grealish, who is out for the season after foot surgery, and Charly Alcaraz, who picked up an injury last weekend before Monday's home match against Manchester United, missing out.
But it remains a mystery as to how David Moyes will line up his starting XI, as he's used various combinations across the back line, in particular, even with health not factoring into his decisions. That has led to inconsistent defending and situations where the manager's choices are questioned due to how circumstances play out in the matches.
Still, we press on in our attempt to match Moyes' thinking prior to a match, even if perfection is out of reach.
Everton's projected starting XI v Newcastle United (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Jordan Pickford (GK): This is about the only spot we can predict with 100% certainty at this point.
Jarrad Branthwaite (LB): This isn't what we hope Moyes will do, but what we believe he will do. His comments about Branthwaite feeling comfortable at either position are concerning, since the defender said almost the opposite. After the November pounding at Hill Dickinson, this feels inevitable.
Michael Keane (CB): See the above logic. Moyes is probably looking to avoid embarrassment again.
James Tarkowski (CB): The concern in the center here is a lack of pace. If only there were a way to combat that with two players already on the pitch.
Jake O'Brien (RB): Back from suspension, there's little reason not to expect Moyes to put the Ireland international back at fullback.
Midfielders
Idrissa Gana Gueye (CDM): The Senegal international looks like he's showing his age in recent weeks after a busy run at AFCON. Doubt that means Moyes will move him out of the lineup.
James Garner (CM): Was solid when called upon at right back on Monday, but will be happy to move into his preferred role.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (CAM): Scored the only goal for Everton in the reverse fixture. He'll need to link up with Iliman Ndiaye to make the attack function.
Forwards
Iliman Ndiaye (LW): Now for the "speaking it into existence" portion of the article. If Moyes insists on building down the left, he at least needs to put his best attacking option there.
Harrison Armstrong (RW): We're giving up on fighting this anymore. At least play the teenager on the right, where he isn't the focal point of the attack if he's going to be out of position.
Thierno Barry (CF): A foregone conclusion at this point. The Frenchman's workrate is solid, but he'll be looking to score again.