"Everton Festive optimism is alive on the blue half of Merseyside, as results could see Everton climb into the top five this weekend-albeit by the slimmest of margins. Currently ninth, the Toffees trail Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Manchester United, and Liverpool by just two points thanks to a solid run of four wins and two defeats in their last six matches. One of those losses came last weekend, however, as Chelsea claimed a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge."
"David Moyes faces a mounting injury crisis ahead of this clash. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a key figure in midfield, was forced off after just 16 minutes against Chelsea with a hamstring injury and will definitely miss out. Jack Grealish is also a doubt after feeling tightness in the same game, adding to Moyes's concerns. Further depletion comes from the Africa Cup of Nations, with Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye away on international duty."
Arsenal travel to the Hill Dickinson Stadium with Mikel Arteta returning to familiar surroundings after a narrow win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Everton occupy ninth place following a run of four wins and two defeats in their last six matches but suffered a 2-0 loss to Chelsea last weekend. Everton have lost two of their last four home games after an early unbeaten spell, and five of their six league defeats this season have come against Champions League contenders. Everton can climb toward the top five with favorable results. Several Everton players are sidelined or absent through injury and international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Read at Soccer News
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]