Next up is Marseille who currently sit 25th out of 36 after three defeats in four, but they have performed excellently in Ligue 1 this season and were temporarily top of the league on Friday after a 5-1 win in Nice.
Eddie Howe needs to use his squad to meet schedule over the coming weeks and has already hinted at that, meaning rotation looks likely tonight.
With that in mind, I think Botman, Burn, Ramsey, Elanga and Gordon will feature in the squad, meaning Schar, Hall, Joelinton, Murphy and Woltemade fall to the bench.
Predicted XI: (4-3-3): Pope – Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Burn – Bruno, Tonali, Ramsey – Elanga, Gordon, Barnes.
It may seem strange to be without Woltemade, but Gordon is back and big Nick’s minutes may need to be managed as we head into a hectic run of games without Wissa or Osula to call on.
It could also be a match that suits Elanga’s pace on the counter, allowing us to save Murphy for Everton, while a change in midfield looks likely, with options remaining to replace Joelinton.
At full-back I can’t see Hall starting three times in seven days and it feels vital he plays for Everton, so I’ll go with Burn at left-back and Livramento at right-back, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Tino plays on the left while Krafth or Thiaw can fill in on the other flank.
At center back, Thiaw now feels too good to drop, so Botman could slot back in alongside the German after starting each of our last three UCL games; where we won all to nil with Burn at left back.
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