Everton vs Wolves Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It is still too early to call it a six-pointer at Goodison Park but two of the strugglers down at the bottom end of the Premier League table with Everton, coming into a tough run, taking on the surprise entertainers, Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Kick-off date/time: Wednesday 4th December, 2024: UK – 7:30pm / US ET – 2:30pm / US PT – 11:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime / US – Peacock
Everton Preview: Sticky for Toffees
Sean Dyche is under immense pressure in charge of Everton, especially with the impending takeover of the club by the Friedkin Group, who also own Roma. The Toffees have narrowly escaped relegation in each of the last three seasons and it appears that it will once again be a nervy spring as they head into what is a dreadful month.
Their 4-0 annihilation at the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford at the weekend with a brace each from Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee is immediately followed by what could be a must-win clash against Wolves because they then face Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea by Christmas and then Manchester City on Boxing Day.
Wolves Preview: Beware of Wolves
Gary O’Neil has been known, both during his time with Wolverhampton Wanderers and whilst in charge of AFC Bournemouth, for being quite a pragmatic and safety first coach but his Wolves side have actually been very entertaining to watch throughout this campaign and that continued at the weekend.
Wolves were beaten 4-2 by the aforementioned Bournemouth at Molineux with a hat-trick of penalties scored by Justin Kluivert condemning them to defeat after they had enjoyed back-to-back victories either side of the November international break. Their 13 matches so far this season have consisted of 54 goals.
Everton Team News: Need a spark
Dyche, as mentioned, could well be into his final few games as Everton boss if results continue to underwhelm but he has spoke of an inability to change too much at the moment.
The former Burnley boss has lamented the financial constraints he has worked in and he is often been keen to stick with the same eleven both with the Clarets and whilst at Everton.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Doucoure, Gueye; Harrison, McNeil, Ndiaye; Calvert-Lewin
Unavailable: Garner (Injured), Iroegbunam (Injured)
Questionable: Coleman (Fitness), Chermiti (Fitness), Broja (Fitness)
Wolves Team News: Finding a balance
Wolves have been entertaining to watch with Matheus Cunha in excellent form in particular but O’Neil will be keen to find a balance between their gung-ho attacking and leaky defence.
O’Neil specifically criticised Craig Dawson’s back pass to Jose Sa for Kluivert’s third penalty at the weekend so it wouldn’t be a major surprise to see Dawson punished and dropped here.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Sa; Lemina, Toti, Bueno; Doherty, Andre, Joao Gomes, Ait-Nouri; Hwang, Cunha; Strand Larsen
Unavailable: Mosquera (Injured), Traore (Injured), Gonzalez (Injured), Kalajdzic (Injured), Semedo (Suspended)
Questionable: Meupiyou (Fitness), Lima (Injured)
Everton vs Wolves Prediction
Everton know no other way other than to be quite reactive and defensive under Sean Dyche. That means, in a game with such significance despite it coming close to must win, they will once again set up to be reactive and counter-attacking. Wolves will know that, whilst they are entertaining, they won’t survive if they continue to concede at the rate that they are conceding. As a result, this one could see both sides seek to shut the other out.
Everton vs Wolves Tip: Under 2.5 goals
