Relegation-threatened Everton welcome high-flying West Ham United to Goodison Park for an eye-catching Premier League fixture. Here is a preview.
David Moyes takes his West Ham side to his former stomping ground to face a desperate Toffees side, it is a game of two sides fighting for differing fortunes on the league standings.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the winning goal for Everton, who recorded just their third Premier League win of the campaign when they last met in October. The Blues would be hoping for similar fortunes in front of their home crowd
Everton are having an eventful season on and off the pitch as Sean Dyche began his first full campaign on Merseyside with three successive Premier League defeats. A draw at Sheffield United was followed by two wins and as many defeats in the next four games as the Toffees began to find their feet.
After the 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the derby, Everton were unbeaten in four matches in all competitions until the club received a 10-point deduction for breaches of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
Alejandro Garnacho’s sensational bicycle kick set the tone for a 3-nil beating against Manchester United but Everton reacted brilliantly to their setbacks with four consecutive wins and clean sheets. Nevertheless, they ended 2023 with defeats to Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Wolves.
There have been three clean sheets so far in the new year and Dyche must build on that confidence in order to achieve their targets for the season. Meanwhile, Everton were charged with further breaches of Premier League financial rules after sustaining losses above the permitted thresholds for the 2022-23 season.
The Toffees must continue to feed off the siege mentality created by their manager and with only one point currently above the drop zone, every single point gained would be important. Hence, performances must be at optimal levels and home comforts would come into play for the rest of the season.
Desperate times at the Merseyside club means Moyes would be returning to a hostile atmosphere. The Scotsman’s team must be focused on getting the result which would be tough considering Everton are unbeaten in four of their last six home matches in all competitions.
West Ham undoubtedly face a tough test at the Toffees but they have taken on all comers with impressive performances this term. The sixth-placed Hammers started the campaign with a draw and three victories before losing successive games to Manchester City and Liverpool.
There were three more defeats over their next five league games but the Hammers turned it around with three wins and a draw from the next four league matches. However, they suffered their heaviest-ever away defeat in a London derby against Fulham who ran riot with a 5-0 victory.
Since then, Moyes’ side kept clean sheets in their final three league games of the year during which they also beat Manchester United and Arsenal. Having drawn against Brighton on January 2, Bristol City got the better of the Hammers in their FA Cup Third Round replay and they resumed from the Premier League’s winter break with a dramatic 2-2 draw away at Sheffield United.
West Ham have struggled in the absence of key players and they must get back on a winning trail to avoid dropping from their current league standing. The likes of Brighton and Man Utd are breathing down their necks and it is pertinent that they do not slip up in tricky away assignments such as the one against Everton.
The West Ham faithful will be pleased to know that they have won in two of their last three visits to the blue side of Merseyside. Therefore, they must be focused on putting in the expected performance levels in order to leave the North West with a positive result.
Thankfully, the visitors should have been boosted by the return of several key players for this match.
Match tickets
This game takes place at Goodison Park on Saturday, March 2 2024 with kick-off set for 3 PM UK time. Match tickets are available for sale on each club’s website but club members will receive priority allocation.
Given the mood around Everton and their misfortunes off the pitch, their home crowd will always be fired up whilst a few neutral observers would also be supporting them as underdogs. Every Evertonian would be desperate to lend their voice in support, meaning that match tickets have become a hot commodity around town.
This poses a headache for non-season ticket holders who we urge to find their Everton vs West Ham tickets on a ticket resale site.
Team news
Dele Alli, Ashley Young, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Seamus Coleman are the names on the Everton injured list while Idrissa Gana Gueye is currently with the Senegal squad. We expect some of them to be back for the visit of West Ham so keep an eye out for more updates.
The Irons have a worrying roll call of casualties as Lucas Paqueta, Edson Alvarez, Michail Antonio, Pablo Fornals, and Jarrod Bowen are all out injured with the Brazilian the most likely to miss this game against Everton as it stands.
Elsewhere, Mohamed Kudus and Nayef Aguerd would have returned from AFCON duty.
Line-ups
It is important for Everton to develop momentum as they face an uphill battle to survive in the league so continuity is key. Dyche is unlikely to make many changes to his preferred team save for injuries, although Andre Gomes continues to make a strong case for selection in midfield.
Everton: Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Onana, Doucoure, Garner; Harrison, Calvert-Lewin, Danjuma
West Ham must field their strongest side in order to beat a stubborn Everton and it is also important that they win the physical as well as mental battle against the crowd.
West Ham: Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Mavropanos, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Bowen, Ward-Prowse, Benrahma; Antonio
Prediction
West Ham’s league position means they will be shown some respect by the hosts but it will be a cagey affair right from the off when two strong sides face off. The mathematical prediction for Everton vs West Ham is a tricky one.
Both teams are similar in their direct approach to attacking and emphasis on set-pieces, thus, it would be an interesting watch with a lot of passion to go with it. Either side is capable of taking the three points but this would be decided by who manages the small margins.
