Koeman should give these 3 Everton stars a chance against West Ham

Everton will hope to keep the pressure on the Premier League’s top six with victory at West Ham on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Ronald Koeman’s side are currently seventh in the division but only three points adrift of Manchester United in fifth, and with four of the top six in FA Cup action this weekend, the Toffees have a chance to make up some ground.

The Merseyside outfit have won their last two league games and have suffered just two defeats in their last 16 Premier League matches, although their away form has seen them pick up just one point from their last three games, and register no win since January.

And that will give Slaven Bilic’s West Ham some confidence ahead of Saturday’s encounter, with the Hammers knowing that victory would all but secure their Premier League status for next season.

The East London club are 13th in the table and nine points clear of danger after a win and a draw in their last two games, but with games against Tottenham and Liverpool coming up between now and May, they’ll hope to get the points on the board as soon as possible.

Nonetheless, Everton will be confident of getting the three points at the London Stadium, although Koeman may have to make a few changes to his side in a bid to improve their away record.

Thus, here are THREE Everton stars who deserve a chance against West Ham…

Gareth Barry

Everton weren’t at their fluent best for much of their victory over Burnley, with the central midfield area guilty of being sloppy in possession.

And that could mean that the experienced Gareth Barry returns to the side against a West Ham outfit that won their last home match.

The 36-year-old has started 22 of the Toffees’ 33 Premier League games this term, but the January arrival of Morgan Schneiderlin has somewhat demoted him down the pecking order, so much so that he has started just seven of their 14 league matches in 2017.

Nonetheless, Barry can still do a job in controlling the midfield, and Koeman may need that against a Hammers side that have improved in recent weeks.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Romelu Lukaku once again proved his worth to Everton with the third goal in their win over Burnley on Saturday, but some of the other attacking players failed to make much of an impact.

Thus, Koeman could turn to youth again and recall 20-year-old Dominic Calvert-Lewin to the starting eleven.

The forward made his first Premier League start in their 3-0 win over Southampton on January 2, although went off injured after just 12 minutes, yet returned to the starting line-up in their 4-0 victory over Hull last month, in which he marked his return with a well-taken goal.

He has since been in and around the first team, and may get his fourth Premier League start of the season at the London Stadium.

Ademola Lookman

Ademola Lookman made an incredible start to life at Everton by netting just a minute into his debut against Manchester City in January.

The former Charlton starlet came off the bench and netted the fourth in the Toffees’ resounding victory, but has since then not added to his tally in six further Premier League appearances.

Some Everton fans are hoping to see more of the 19-year-old between now and May, and given that he made a return to the pitch in the win over Burnley on Saturday, six weeks after his last appearance, it suggests that he may be returning to the starting eleven in the coming weeks.

And that could see him earn a starting berth against West Ham this weekend.

Exit mobile version