Everton host Arsenal at Goodison Park in a huge Premier League encounter.
Victory would see Everton climb out of the relegation zone whilst Arsenal can move back into the top four with a win, although a five-goal winning margin would see them go second.
Team News
Jarrad Branthwaite is set to be available for Everton after he withdrew from England’s Under-21s squad with a minor groin injury.
James Tarkowski (facial), Michael Keane, Lewis Dobbin (both knock), Andre Gomes (calf), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (cheekbone) could also be in contention, although they are set to be handed late fitness tests.
Jack Harrison, Dele Alli (both hip) and Seamus Coleman (knee) are ruled out.
Arsenal will be without Thomas Partey after he missed their comeback win over Manchester United with a groin injury.
Jurrien Timber and Mohamed Elneny remain absent with knee injuries.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Brentford at Goodison Park in a 4:30pm BST kick-off on Sunday 17 September live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Everton have won four of their last six meetings against Arsenal (W4, L2).
- Arsenal are winless in their last five visits to Everton (D1, L4).
- Everton have kept clean sheets in three of their last five home matches against Arsenal.
- Ashley Young has created more touches on the ball than any other Everton player in their opening four league games this season, with 290 touches made in four appearances.
- William Saliba has made more headed clearances than any other Arsenal player in the top flight this season, having made six headed clearances in four appearances.
Prediction
With one point finally on the board following a scrappy draw at Sheffield Utd two weeks ago, Everton now need to take the positives from that performance and be even better, especially defensively where they allowed the Blades to score twice with poor marking.
Arsenal meanwhile deserved to scrape past Man Utd with some excellent late end product in a game which lacked their fast pace and usual high-energy play, yet they somehow clung on to come from behind and score three goals in a gutsy effort.
Goodison Park though has recently been Arsenal’s Achilles heel but if there is a time to end that rot, it has to be now with the Toffees struggling defensively which the Gunners should target aggressively, because if they do and are more energetic then I can see them taking a routine win.
Prediction: Everton 0-2 Arsenal
Result: Everton 0-1 Arsenal
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