After drawing 1-1 with Crystal Palace on Monday, Everton continue to sit ninth in the table. The Toffees are currently on a five game unbeaten streak, but have squandered points they should have had during this time.
The Merseyside team have the shortest Premier League turnaround this week with an away trip against Norwich City on Saturday. The Canaries are currently sitting 16th in the table and come into this match after having lost 2-0 to Watford last time out.
This is another game that Everton should be expecting all three points from.
Goalkeeper
The veteran Tim Howard gets the start for this one.
Right Back
Seamus Coleman will continue his reign on the right for Everton.
Center Backs
With the continued absence of Phil Jagielka, we will see the partnership of John Stones and Ramiro Funes Mori continue in the middle of defense.
Left Back
Leighton Baines is on his way to recovering his sharpness after his return from injury last week, but I don’t expect him to be named to the starting XI just yet. This means that Brendan Galloway, who just inked a new four and half year deal, will continue to man the left for Everton. The youngster has been a godsend for the Toffees so far this season and should continue his form here.
Defensive Midfield
There hasn’t been a lot of news out of the Everton camp regarding James McCarthy’s fitness, which I take to mean that he will be ready to go for Saturday’s match. This means that McCarthy will be put back into the starting lineup to partner with Gareth Barry.
Right Wing
Gerard Deulofeu had a somewhat quite evening for Everton against Crystal Palace, but I fully expect the Spaniard to retain his spot against Norwich. Again this will leave Aaron Lennon, watching from the bench.
Central Attacking Midfield
Ross Barkley is the clear number one at CAM for Everton and will get the nod for this one.
Left Wing
I’m going to get on my soap box here and advocate why Arouna Kone should not be named on the left wing for Everton. I will admit that he has been in good form this season, but that has tapered off as of late. He hasn’t scored for Everton in four games and only has one assist during that time.
Even more, his tendency to creep inward during games all but eliminates any threat from crosses on the left that the team could have. I think playing a forward on the wing is something to possibly revisit once Baines is fully established back in the lineup because of his ability to provide a crossing threat on the left, but until then I think it’s time to field a true winger.
My solution again is to get Kevin Mirallas back into the fold. I don’t know what is going on behind the scenes, but Mirallas is one of Everton’s highest quality players and the fact that he’s getting minimal playing time is appalling. If I’m Martinez I’m giving Mirallas the start on Saturday.
Forward
Romelu Lukaku has been great goal scoring form and has scored 8 goals in his last 8 Premier League matches. Look for that to continue here.
(4-2-3-1)
Via – Lineup Builder
