Arnaut Danjuma to make first start, Alex Iwobi misses out – Everton predicted XI v Wolves
Arnaut Danjuma could be in line to make his first start for Everton when they face Wolves at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon (26 August).
The forward has so far made two appearances since arriving from Villarreal on loan, but his minutes have been restricted after picking up a knock towards the end of pre-season.
Alex Iwobi will be absent for the game after Sean Dyche revealed in his pre-match press conference on Thursday (24 August) that the Nigerian winger picked up a hamstring injury in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday (20 August).
He will be joined on the sidelines by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is set to see a specialist on Friday (25 August) once the swelling has subsided after he suffered a facial injury in the game against Villa.
Seamus Coleman, Dwight McNeil and Dele Alli all remain sidelined with injuries and are yet to play this season, while new signing Jack Harrison is not yet available.
On that basis, Dyche won’t be able to make too many changes from the loss at Villa Park despite several poor performances from his side.
Subscribe to Football Insider TV now
Jordan Pickford will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing display in the Midlands, where he conceded a penalty following a rash challenge on Ollie Watkins and was beaten on four occasions by the hosts.
Michael Keane is predicted to be axed from the lineup as he looked well off the pace against the Villans and played a part in two of the goals his side let in.
He will be replaced by Ben Godfrey, with the centre-back making his first start of the season alongside fellow defenders James Tarkowski, Nathan Patterson and Ashley Young, even though each of them didn’t cover themselves in much glory last weekend either.
Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gana Gueye will continue in deep-lying roles in midfield, while Abdoulaye Doucoure will play as an advanced midfielder in a bid to try and provide support for the lone-striker.
Due to Calvert-Lewin’s injury, that forward will once again be Neal Maupay as the Toffees are extremely short on options up top, with James Garner and Danjuma playing out wide.
The latter will be hoping to build upon his promising performance off the bench against Villa as the Dutchman looks to inspire the Blues into recording their first three points of the season.
In other Everton news, a first-team player is set to exit Goodison Park after a deal has been agreed.
