Everton line-ups for Sheffield United as youngsters get chance and Seamus Coleman decision made

Everton are back in action in the Premier League on Saturday, as they welcome already-relegated Sheffield United to Goodison Park.

The Blues have long secured their top-flight status for next season with an impressive surge in form at the back end of the campaign, with wins over Burnley, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Brentford propelling them clear of trouble. It means supporters should be able to enjoy a stress-free final home fixture.

The visitors have been woeful this season too. They are rock-bottom of the table and have conceded a whopping 100 goals from their 36 games so far.

It makes a home victory look very much achievable for the Blues. Chris Beesley and Joe Thomas have taken a look at the XIs they would select, as the team look to sign off in front of their supporters for the year in style.

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Chris Beesley - Dobbin gets a chance

With the visit of rock bottom Sheffield United for Everton’s final home game of the season, I did wonder whether this was the time for experimentation but Sean Dyche says he wants to pick a team to win and I’m inclined to agree.

Even having abandoned their second points deduction appeal of the season, the Blues will have to go some to overhaul Crystal Palace into 14th place – they need to win both their remaining fixtures, including a trip to title-chasing Arsenal on the last day and hope the Eagles lose both of theirs to stand any chance – but with finances remaining in a parlous state at Goodison Park and every league position counting in terms of prize money, they should be going all out to hold on to 15th ahead of Brentford.

Everton go into this fixture unbeaten in their last four matches with Dyche having been named Premier League manager of the month for April, which is incredible considering that halfway through he suffered a 6-0 drubbing at Chelsea and this correspondent was having to warn knee-jerkers among the fanbase of the folly in calling for his head. Having won the last four at Goodison, I’d like to see the Blues keep the momentum going and retain the feel-good factor – on the pitch at least – heading into another pivotal summer of upstairs shenanigans.

Therefore, there are just a couple of changes for me. Lewis Dobbin gets a run-out on the right wing in the hope that he can really get at a Blades defence that has shipped a hundred goals this term while captain Seamus Coleman returns to lead the team out ahead of what will be the first end of season lap of appreciation at a packed Goodison since 2019 with Ben Godfrey switching to left-back ahead of Ashley Young.

My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Godfrey, Tarkowski, Branthwaite; Gueye, Garner, Doucoure; Dobbin, McNeil, Calvert-Lewin

Joe Thomas - Everton cannot to gamble on Coleman

I think today is a good day to experiment.

This summer is a big one and any lessons that can be learnt in advance are valuable. Let’s start Lewis Dobbin and see if he how he fares. Can he be a genuine squad player next season? Let’s start Youssef Chermiti, maybe off Beto, so both can get valuable minutes and provide insight on their acclimatisation to the Premier League.

Elsewhere, there isn’t much opportunity to chop and change but with that being the case, I still hope to see youngsters given a chance off the bench. Mackenzie Hunt, Lewis Warrington and Jenson Metcalfe have all been in and around the matchday squads - give them some minutes.

And please start Seamus Coleman. It looks like his future is in his hands but while it remains undecided, it would be great to see him lead the team out today to a hero’s reception, just in case.

My team (4-4-2): Pickford; Young, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Coleman: Dobbin, Gueye, Garner, Harrison; Chermiti, Beto