Everton line-ups as Arnaut Danjuma decision made with tactical tweak
Everton predicted line-ups and teams for the FA Cup tie against Luton
Everton are in FA Cup action this afternoon when they take on Luton Town at Goodison Park.
And Sean Dyche will be forced to rotate his injury hit squad for the visit of the Hatters as he looks to secure progression to the fifth round.
Our writers pick their teams for the game today:
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Joe Thomas: Sean Dyche has some interesting calls to make today. In some ways his lack of options makes finding solutions easier - because there are so few. There was a recoil of shock within the press room when he announced Andre Gomes was injured on Thursday. That shows how well Gomes has done since his return, two goals and some nice performances a welcome reminder of his talent just when it was questionable that he would get a chance in first team again.
With Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye unavailable there is a hole there for Dyche to fill. I know what I would do. We have had glimpses of Jack Harrison behind the front man and I’ve quite liked it. So today I’d give Arnaut Danjuma a start on the left, move Dwight McNeil to the right and play Harrison behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin. I play DCL because he needs a goal and the sooner it comes the better. Nathan Patterson is the only option at right back, so the last conundrum is whether Joao Virginia keeps his FA Cup berth. He was brilliant across the Crystal Palace games so I would give him another start today.
My team (4-5-1): Virginia; Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Patterson; Danjuma, Onana, Harrison, Garner; McNeil; Calvert-Lewin
Chris Beesley: With Andre Gomes suffering a new calf injury and manager Sean Dyche worryingly describing top scorer Abdoulaye Doucoure’s hamstring problem as “a bit longer term”, Everton have a hole in the centre of their side when it comes to their most-advanced central midfielder for their FA Cup fourth round tie at home to Fulham.
Rather than alter the formation though, I’d move Jack Harrison inside from his usual position on the right wing to play as a support striker given that he fulfilled the role well in the 3-0 win over Newcastle United last month. This will allow fellow loan man Arnaut Danjuma, who has become frustrated over his lack of game time, to get some welcome minutes before the January transfer window shuts on the left wing with Dwight McNeil switching flanks.Although I was pleased to see Joao Virginia play well in both third round matches against Crystal Palace, making some big saves at crucial moments, and I suspect Sean Dyche will retain him in goal, I will never be converted to the policy of cup keepers and would always plays my strongest side.
My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Patterson, Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Branthwaite; Garner, Onana, Harrison, McNeil, Danjuma; Calvert-Lewin.