Everton host Arsenal at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon with Gunners look to confirmed Mikel Arteta as the new manager who will replace sacked Unai Emery.
The Toffees are set to appoint Carlo Ancelotti as their new coach on a permanent basis following the sacking of Marco Silva, and despite Duncan Ferguson’s impressive stint as caretaker but the club legend is expected to be in place in the opposite dugout.
Prediction:
Everton vs Arsenal 12/Over 1.5 Goal
Everton Team News
Gylfi Sigurdsson and Djibril Sidibe should return from illness in time for this one as Lucas Digne (groin) is still out but Fabian Delph could return.
Theo Walcott, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Andre Gomes remain sidelined until the New Year, while Morgan Schneiderlin is expected to return later this month.
Arsenal Team News
Freddie Ljungberg may also have to make do without a number of first-team players ahead of his final game at the helm. Kieran Tierney was forced off against West Ham after dislocating his shoulder and remains sidelined for up to three months.
Dani Ceballos (hamstring) continues to recover ahead of his return to action, while Rob Holding (knee) is also unavailable but Hector Bellerin could return from a hamstring injury and Granit Xhaka will also be closely monitored ahead of Saturday’s game
Sead Kolasinac recently sprained his ankle but looks to have shaken it off in time for the match on Merseyside.
Head to Head
Saturday’s encounter will represent the 212th competitive meeting between the two clubs, with Arsenal registering 105 wins in comparison to 61 victories for Everton.
The Gunners have prevailed in seven of the last nine contests, while also scoring a total of 15 goals from their last four triumphs but the Toffees recorded all three points in the corresponding fixture last season thanks to an early Phil Jagielka goal.
Recent Form
Everton remain unbeaten across all competitions since Ferguson took charge, easing past Chelsea 3-1 and picking up draws against Manchester United in the Premier League and Leicester City in the Carabao Cup.
Having said that, the Toffees have only managed five league wins so far this season – the joint fourth lowest in the league – and have found scoring a tough task, netting 20 times in their opening 17 games.
Arsenal’s troubles this season have been well documented; one win in their last 12 games in all competitions speaks volumes and this lackluster performance from the Gunners so far this season saw head coach Unai Emery sacked from his position, but life under Ljungberg has been far from fruitful as Swede has picked up just four points from as many league games in charge of the north London club.
Possible Arsenal lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Mustafi, Chambers, Luiz, Saka; Guendouzi, Torreira; Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli; Aubameyang
Possible Everton lineup (4-4-2): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Mina, Baines; Iwobi, Davies, Holgate, Bernard; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin
Prediction:
Everton vs Arsenal 12/Over 1.5 Goal
