Everton’s season has been more ‘stop/start’ than a old car on a snowy morning. Two draws and a win in October followed by a defeat and a draw so far in November see The Toffees sitting 16th in the Premier League table, hovering 3 points above the drop-zone. The final International Break of the calendar year has concluded and Everton have a tough run of fixtures ahead of them. From statistically the ‘easiest’ first 11 fixtures of any team in the Prem, Sean Dyche’s side now face statistically the ‘toughest’ next 11 games. Results from the opening 11 will not fill the fans with confidence on what is to come. However, Everton have more often than not turned up in the ‘bigger’ games and might surprise a few of us.
The run begins on Saturday, as we return to Goodison Park for Premier League action against Brentford. Thomas Frank is admired by many Everton fans, plenty considering him a future Everton manager. His side sit 11th, 6-points ahead of The Toffees and in mixed form. Everton’s opponents this weekend have done well since their promotion to the Premier League. Establishing themselves as a side that are often more mid-table than relegation fodder. A position that right now many Evertonians would be dreaming of…
If You Know Your History… Everton v Brentford Through the Years
Everton have won their last 3 meetings against Saturday’s visitors, with the last 2 games at Goodison resulting in 1-0 wins for The Toffees. We secured Premier League survival in the last meeting of the 2 sides and even did the double over Brentford amongst our struggles on and off the pitch last year.
You have to head back to the 15th of May 2022 for the last time Brentford beat Everton. A mad day at Goodison under Frank Lampard that saw Everton blow a 2-1 lead at halftime, to lose 3-2 and end the game with 9-men. A stark contrast to the big 4-1 Lampard secured on his first game in charge of the Blues, in the FA Cup against the same opponents that season.
Overall, the stats are fairly split on this particular fixture. The Toffees edge it slightly with 11 wins to Brentford’s 10. The two sides have only drawn against each other 3 times. If you look at the Premier League Era, Brentford have beaten Everton twice and Everton have secured 3 Premier League wins, including the Dyche-Double from last season.
Team News
Sean Dyche confirmed that Jarred Branthwaite and Dwight McNeil are back in training and are likely to feature at the weekend. In other good news, Chermitti and Broja are also both back in training but will not feature this weekend as they continue to find full fitness.
Thomas Frank expects to have Bryan Mbeumo, Ethan Pinnock and Yoane Wissa available for this weekend’s game. Igor Thiago could be in line to make his Premier League debut against the Toffees this weekend. Kristoffer Ajer, Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey and Josh Dasilva remain sidelined.
What the Managers Say
Dyche on facing Brentford- “It’s another massive game for us. We’ve got to take on a side that do have ups and downs but they are a good side. I’ve got massive respect for the manager.”
Thomas Frank on Everton- “They are extremely solid. They had a tough start but one defeat in their last seven is very good. Sean is a fantastic coach and he always makes his team very difficult to play against. I expect a completely even game.”
Everton Key Player:
Ashley Young – So I already know I will get a lot of raised eyebrows over this pick (and not the good Don Carlo kind). Young has been a player in form during our recent run. He is chipping in with assists and showing a calm composure at the back. The reason I flag him as a key player for the game tomorrow is because keeping up his recent run of form will impact our chances of taking all 3-points. If he continues to show his experience and avoids silly fouls, then I can see him helping to keep Brentford quiet. If he continues to get forward in key moments and deliver good crosses, then I can see him getting more assists. Whilst many would not have expected this from Ashley Young, he is one of our better deliverers of a ball and a surprising creative outlet.
One to Watch for Brentford:
Bryan Mbeumo– It was a hard choice between Mbeumo and Wissa for Brentford. The reality is they have real goal threats in their side. Many thought the absence of Toney would stunt Brentford’s progression as a Premier League side as both Mbeumo and Wissa have stepped up and delivered in key moments so far this season. Mbeumo has 5 league goals to his name, including 2 coming in the opening minute of their ties against Tottenham and West Ham. He is clearly a handful upfront and switched on from the get go. Whilst he is without a goal in November so far, do not overlook him. He is clinical and I expect he will ask questions of the Everton defense on Saturday. Hopefully the experience of Tarkowski will be enough to nullify the threat. Although, perhaps an opponent better suited for a returning Branthwaite.
Final Thoughts
My thoughts are, I don’t know what to make of this season. I am confused and drained already. The upcoming run of fixtures makes me feel even more lost. I felt we’d recruited well in most areas over the summer. For a club without real ownership and leadership, I feel like there were positives. The performances on the pitch have been cause for concern. Made more worrying by the feeling of ‘acceptance’ from the manager and players that things are ‘on the right track’. We have to step it up. We have to win more games. We have to bank points and we have to head into this upcoming run with as big a headstart on the bottom three as possible. Things have to change, it is simply a case of how quickly changes occur.
Prediction
2-1. Brentford are yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League this season so far. They however, have had no issue in finding the back of the net. Meanwhile Everton have been more resilient at the back but have been wasteful in front of goal. I am going to be more optimistic this week and predict a narrow win for the Toffees. More out of hope and history than current form. Everton will need every point they can get their hands on in November and December. Dyche will have to look at Brentford, Forest and Wolves as the ‘winnable’/’must-win’ fixtures. We emerged from the first game after the last International Break with a win, let’s hope the same can be said at full-time on Saturday.
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