Wayne Rooney’s penalty may have earned Everton a point against Brighton this past weekend but Ronald Koeman is in grave danger of losing his job at the Goodison Park. It might boil down to the result of Everton’s third Europa League group stage fixture when they face French giants AS Lyon at home.
The Ligue1 outfit are placed 6th in the domestic points table and are fresh from a morale-boosting 3-2 victory over AS Monaco at the weekend. They are sure to fight for all three points and the Toffees need to be at their best to take anything from this game.
Koeman will be without the services of Ross Barkley, Seamus Coleman, Yannick Bolasie, and Roberto Funes Mori, who all remain long-term absentees. James McCarthy featured for the U-23s against Wolfsburg but this Europa League fixture is too early for him to participate. The manager has no other injuries to worry about ahead of this game.
GK – Jordan Pickford
The English international has been in decent form and will surely be tested against the free-flowing French side.
The summer signing has not been able to settle in well but should get a chance in this European fixture, at right-back.
The youngster has been effective in a make-shift role for most of the season and deserves to start in a more familiar role at CB in this game.
To add experience to the back-line, Williams should star alongside Holgate, to try and keep Lyon’s threat to as low as possible.
The veteran full-back has been one of the most consistent players for Everton, even in a disastrous season, and should keep his place at left-back.
The former Southampton man has been used regularly by Koeman and it is high time that he steps up and takes the responsibilities in this midfield. He should start this game against Lyon.
The 19-year old is growing from strength to strength by the game and deserves to start for Everton in this UEL fixture.
The Iceland international has failed to live up to his expectation so far this season and has a chance to make things right at home, in this crunch match.
The Dutch playmaker has not been able to justify his hefty price tag and needs to deliver in one of the most important games for Everton this season.
Having shown some signs of form at the weekend, Mirallas should finally get a chance to start, and he will play on the left-wing if he starts.
Though Sandro needs some exposure, Koeman should probably stick with Rooney to add the cutting edge to his attacking line-up against the French opponents.
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