Joe Thomas - Blues stay with 4-3-3 as DCL hint is clear
The injury suffered by Nathan Patterson on Scotland duty is a blow for Everton but it should not be fatal to Frank Lampard's tactical shift to four at the back. While Seamus Coleman finished last season in a centre back three, he will be more than capable of playing right back in a side that, this season, features solid partnerships in both the centre of defence and the centre of midfield.
Lampard's pre-match comments suggest Dominic Calvert-Lewin is unlikely to start this match as he continues his fightback from a knee injury, so Neal Maupay look set to play - particularly after his match-winning heroics against West Ham United.
For me, Everton stay with 4-3-3, with Coleman slotting in at right back and Maupay leading the line, supported by Anthony Gordon and Demarai Gray. James Garner, so impressive for England's Under-21s, Tom Davies and Abdoulaye Doucoure all lay reasonable claim to a starting place but this weekend none surpass the central midfield trio of Alex Iwobi, Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye, that began against West Ham. As good as Asmir Begovic is, Jordan Pickford also returns in my starting eleven.
My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Coady, Coleman; Iwobi, Onana, Gueye; Gray, Maupay, Gordon.
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Chris Beesley - Lampard faces three big selection posers
If Dominic Calvert-Lewin is fit again, Everton manager Frank Lampard faces three big selection posers for the trip to Southampton. The Blues' number nine, who hasn't kicked a ball all season, was expected to return for the previous match against West Ham United a fortnight ago but was kept out of the squad as a precaution.
Hopefully Calvert-Lewin can get back fit and firing again soon and be the man who can spearhead Everton's attack for the bulk of the season but regardless of his physical condition, Neal Maupay - the Blues' match-winner against the Hammers last time out - deserves to keep his place for me.
At the other end of the pitch, Lampard confirmed that there has been "good news" over Jordan Pickford who missed the previous game through injury when asked whether the England number one was good to go at St Mary's. While Asmir Begovic was faultless last time out, he understands he's paid handsomely to fulfil an understudy's role and should drop back down to the bench here.
Finally there is an enforced change with Nathan Patterson - who has played every minute in the Premier League so far this term - ruled out for over a month with an injury picked up playing for Scotland. This situation could be over-complicated by bringing in alternatives to line-up out of position but surely club captain Seamus Coleman, the most-experienced Everton player in the squad slots in as a natural replacement with the Irish international no doubt having a point to prove.
My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Mykolenko, Coady, Tarkowski; Gueye, Onana, Iwobi; Gordon, Maupay, Gray.
Connor O'Neill - Has to be a case of more of the same
Without sounding incredibly boring, surely Frank Lampard only makes the two obvious changes to the side that beat West Ham United last time out this afternoon?
Asmir Begovic did nothing wrong against the Hammers before the international break, but you would be shocked if Jordan Pickford didn't return for Everton this afternoon. While at the back, surely it is a case of Seamus Coleman replacing Nathan Patterson at right-back, with Conor Cody, James Tarkowski and Vitaliy Mykolenko all keeping their places.
In midfield, it has to be a case of more of the same, with Idrissa Gueye, Amadou Onana and Alex Iwobi all getting the nod. Anthony Gordon and Demarai Gray should start on either flank, with Neal Maupay, fresh from his first goal for the club against David Moyes' side, once again leading the line.
My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Mykolenko, Coady, Tarkowski; Gueye, Onana, Iwobi; Gordon, Maupay, Gray.
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