Everton wrap up 2024 with a huge challenge on Sunday. Nottingham Forest are the visitors to Goodison Park in the Premier League.

The Blues have navigated what had the potential to be a difficult December well so far, with six points taken from their last four games. Last time out they earned a 1-1 draw at Manchester City and had numerous chances late on to take three points.

In Forest, they will be playing the big surprise of the season so far. After battling relegation last term, they sit fourth in the standings going into this weekend's fixtures having won their last four matches in succession.

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Joe Thomas and Chris Beesley will be in attendance at Goodison for what promises to be an intriguing game. They have each picked their own respective XIs for the match below.

Joe Thomas

The two big calls for me, today, are over Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Seamus Coleman. The side is pretty settled after four good results, including those three consecutive draws against sides with loftier ambitions than the Blues this season.

That form has coincided with Abdoulaye Doucoure returning to the #10 role, which has provided some additional solidity to the middle - where Idrissa Gueye and Orel Mangala are having a great December.

For all that Ashley Young has been excellent this season, I would stick with Coleman today on the proviso he is fit to play a second game in a row, something that has been an issue over the last season and a half. I thought he played well at Manchester City going in both directions and his surge forward for the equaliser showed an ambition rarely seen among Everton’s full-backs this season.

For all the fun and games of last season’s important win in this fixture, Young was fortunate not to concede at least one penalty so maybe it might be better to firm up in an area Nottingham Forest caused trouble even in defeat.

For Calvert-Lewin, recent months have been tough. The new-found defensive resilience has come at the cost of any support for him. Having battled hard against the big guns and deserved to be credited with something from the Wolves win, there is an argument that withdrawing him for a game against a side in great form but that Everton will hope for a good result against would be harsh. I think Armando Broja has looked good in his cameos though and wonder if a rest for Calvert-Lewin and a chance for Broja to add a different complexion to the front line might just be best for today. A change should certainly provide lessons for the new year.

My only other dilemma would be if Dwight McNeil is deemed fit. Everton’s set pieces have been poor in his absence and Jack Harrison is working hard enough for me to keep him ahead of Jesper Lindstrom, but not McNeil should he be able to return. If he did then I’d put him on the left and Ndiaye on the right.

My team (4-5-1-): Pickford; Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Coleman; Ndiaye, Mangala, Doucoure, Gueye, Harrison; Broja

Chris Beesley

They’ve got a combined age of 75 but I think it’s time to unleash the oldest full-back pairing in Everton history against Nottingham Forest. The junior partner of the pair, club captain Seamus Coleman, a mere spring chicken at 36, enjoyed a return to the starting line-up for his 426th appearance for the Blues on Boxing Day.

The Republic of Ireland international helped Everton come from behind to earn a draw with Manchester City, the Premier League champions for the previous four seasons, by getting forwards and playing his part in the move that led to Iliman Ndiaye’s equaliser. In contrast, on the other side of Sean Dyche’s defence, Vitalii Mykolenko handed Pep Guardiola’s men a lifeline when he brought down Savinho with a rash challenge that prompted referee Simon Hooper to point to the penalty spot and was only reprieved by Jordan Pickford’s save to keep out Erling Haaland’s effort from 12 yards.

Therefore, with the evergreen Young having served his one-match suspension after picking up a fifth booking of the season in Everton’s last home game against Chelsea, I’d restore the 39-year-old veteran who has arguably been the team’s most consistent outfield performer this term, but in the left-back berth at the Ukraine international’s expense.

At the other end of the pitch, Dominic Calvert-Lewin battled hard but laboured to a 13th game without a goal while Armando Broja looked lively coming off the bench again, so I’d be tempted to hand the on-loan Chelsea man his first start.

My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Coleman, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite; Gueye, Mangala, Doucoure, Harrison, Ndiaye; Broja