The State of Play
Everton gained four points in midweek to move them clear of the bottom three and the relegation places but another points deduction is still looming and Sean Dyche’s Toffees have been extremely underwhelming. They were held to a 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend and they have now managed just one win in their last 14 matches across all competitions.
David Moyes was under major pressure, and does remain so, as West Ham United boss but the Hammers enjoyed their first win of the calendar year of 2024 last week. They defeated London rivals Brentford by four goals to two at the London Stadium with Jarrod Bowen scoring his first professional hat-trick. They are still in the hunt for a top seven finish and European qualification.
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Team News
Everton boss Sean Dyche has confirmed that Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye could return for this weekend but both will have to be assessed. Andre Gomes is ‘back on the grass’ but Arnaut Danjuma and Dele Alli remain unavailable.
West Ham United welcomed key midfielder Lucas Paqueta back into the first-team last weekend and they will also be able to welcome Kalvin Phillips back into the squad with no current injury issues or suspensions.
Expected Line-ups
Everton: Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; McNeil, Onana, Gueye, Garner, Harrison; Calvert-Lewin
West Ham: Areola; Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Emerson; Ward-Prowse, Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus; Antonio
What they Said
Sean Dyche has discussed Everton gaining four points from the deduction decision. “We’re pleased we got something back. You’re always greedy, aren’t you? Want more, the points the club made have obviously been listened to and we got the four points back.”
David Moyes was pleased to get their victory over Brentford but remained cautious after a slow start to the year. He said his side were ‘still learning’ to compete as a top-half team in the Premier League.
When and How to Watch
This match will be played at the Goodison Park at 15:00 on Saturday March 2nd. It will not be televised live in the UK and can therefore not be streamed live in the UK, legally, either.
Prediction
Neither of these sides have enjoyed an impressive start to 2024 but they both have very different goals for the rest of the campaign. Everton are battling against the drop even with their points added back on and they are desperate for victory. Despite their win last week, West Ham have a tough test at Goodison Park against a galvanised Evertonian support and backing Sean Dyche’s men to finally end their winless run of form looks the way to go for this one.
