After a disappointing start to the season with a 2-2 draw at home to Watford, Everton head to Southampton this Saturday for our first away game of the new season. It’s been a week which has seen the signing of 18-year-old defender Mason Holgate from Barnsley, a player dubbed by some as ‘The next John Stones’. This fixture is one that Everton have struggled in since Southampton’s promotion back to the Premier League in 2012 with Everton failing to score a goal in the last 3 games at St. Mary’s. The last 3 meetings at Southampton have ended 0-0, 0-2 and 0-3 with the toffees scoring 3 own goals in that time. This fixture last season saw goals from Graziano Pelle and Maya Yoshida as well as an early Lukaku own goal meaning the Saints took the 3 points. However, the last meeting at Goodison Park resulted in a 1-0 win for Everton back in April.
Source: evertonfc.com
Southampton kicked off their campaign with a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle on Sunday with goals from Shane Long and Graziano Pelle – who has scored 5 goals in the last 8 games. Of Pelle’s 13 Premier League goals, 11 have come at St. Mary’s. Southampton have won just one of their last seven Premier League games and have conceded in all of them. Everton also opened the season with a 2-2 draw – at home to newly promoted Watford. Watford took the lead early on after a defensive error from Everton left Miguel Layun enough space for him to fire the ball into the top left corner. The Hornets led until the 76th minute when Ross Barkley fired a superb shot into the top corner from just outside the box. It only took 7 minutes for Everton to be behind once again when substitute Odion Ighalo scored what looked to be a late winner. Everton managed to salvage a late point though after substitute Arouna Kone slotted home an 86th minute equaliser. It was a game in which nobody played well as far as Everton are concerned. Brendan Galloway was arguably the best player for the Everton side with a solid performance having had to stand in for the injured Leighton Baines. Arouna Kone was a surprise positive after coming off the bench and getting a goal as well as assisting the first and ultimately saving the game.
It has this week been revealed that Leighton Baines will be out for at least 3 months following the ankle injury he sustained in training on the eve of the new season. Meanwhile, Gerard Deulofeu looks set to make his second Everton debut this weekend after overcoming a hamstring injury he picked up in Singapore over pre-season. Muhamed Besic also has a chance of a return after he re-joined full first team training earlier this week. Kevin Mirallas returned to training on Thursday having picked up a knock to his ankle in Saturday’s open against Watford and could feature on Saturday. Aiden McGeady also returned to training on Thursday after not playing since the start of pre-season due to a hamstring injury. Darron Gibson, Tony Hibbert and Steven Pienaar remain side-lined due to long term injuries. For Southampton, new signings Jordy Clasie and Steven Caulker are set to miss out while long term absentees Ryan Bertrand, Fraser Forster and Florin Gardos will also miss out.
Tim Howard will start in goal for Everton this Saturday as he appears to be the favoured option ahead of Joel once again this season. The back line will surely consist of Coleman, Stones and Jagielka with the left back role under question as regular Leighton Baines is out through in jury. The position will be filled by either Bryan Oviedo or Brendan Galloway who started last weeks’ season opener. It was a more than respectable performance from Galloway but Martinez could favour the more attack-minded Oviedo. With Sadio Mane likely to start on the right I expect Martinez may start the more defensively capable Galloway to deal with the incredible pace and skill of Mane. McCarthy will surely start in the centre of midfield but the question once again is alongside who? Last week Barry and Cleverley both started but this was to fill the position of the injured Deulofeu. With Mirallas and Deulofeu both likely to be fit it would seem only one will start. With Southampton being a strong attacking opposition I expect Martinez will be cautious and start the more defensive Gareth Barry but Cleverley could also find himself a start should any of our 2 wingers not be fully fit. Ross Barkley should start as the number 10 following his spectacular strike against Watford last time out. Deulofeu and Mirallas are likely to start as our 2 wingers should they be fully fit although Martinez may not want to rush them back meaning a start for Tom Cleverley isn’t unlikely. Romelu Lukaku should start upfront despite Kone getting a goal and an assist last Saturday.
After Southampton, it’s Man City, Spurs and Chelsea up for Everton making Saturday’s early kick off all the more important for Everton to get a result. Both teams are looking for their first wins of the season after 2-2 draws on the opening day. I expect a close well-fought battle with only a goal or 2 separating the 2 sides.
Score Prediction: 2-1 Everton.
Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Howard, Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Galloway, McCarthy, Barry, Barkley, Deulofeu, Mirallas, Lukaku.
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