Everton line-ups for West Ham as Nathan Patterson decision made in system change

Everton are looking to get back on track in the capital on Saturday. They visit West Ham United in desperate need of a positive result and performance before the international break.

Sean Dyche's side have been well below their best in the last two outings - a draw at home to Fulham and a loss to Southampton - and have slumped back down the table as a result. Everton go into the weekend fixtures just two points clear of the relegation zone with a brutal December schedule to come.

West Ham have been struggling too and some reports suggest manager Julen Lopetegui could be moved on should they suffer a defeat to the Toffees.

Chris Beesley and Joe Thomas have picked their respective XIs for this crucial encounter.

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Joe Thomas

I’d be tempted to try something a little different today. For me, Iliman Ndiaye would be my favoured #10 and that remains the case. But I think one of Everton’s big struggles this season has been trying to adapt to having someone more attack minded in that role than Abdoulaye Doucoure, whose effectiveness under Sean Dyche has stemmed from his ability to cover so much of the pitch and operate as a third centre midfielder out of possession yet be a genuine support for Dominic Calvert-Lewin when Everton burst forward.

I wouldn’t replicate that today, but I think Everton have been left vulnerable and outnumbered in the middle of the pitch too often - while Sean Dyche has persisted with Dwight McNeil in a central role he has still been clear he is learning the defensive side of that job.

I would be surprised to see McNeil involved at West Ham given that his knee injury flared after Southampton. With the international break coming up and cover available, asking him to fight through the knock seems like an unnecessary risk.

All this is building towards me arguing Everton need Ndiaye in the middle but also a stronger core. So I would consider going 3-5-2. Orel Mangala, Idrissa Gueye and Doucoure could give this side a solid partnership in the middle of the pitch. They would give Ndiaye the freedom to play off Calvert-Lewin and not have to worry about his defensive duties. And in turn this might prevent Calvert-Lewin from being so isolated. Having Gueye and Mangala with him would also allow Doucoure to spring forward and join the attack at times.

This approach would also see me bring Jarrad Branthwaite back in. I don’t think Everton should have their best player on the bench and in this scenario he can join Michael Keane and James Tarkowski, both of whom can lay claim to deserving to start.

This is very much a plan designed to make Everton strong through the middle and tough to break down, while offering a chance of being able to hurt West Ham with Calvert-Lewin and Doucoure’s strength and Ndiaye’s cunning.

There is no perfect solution at wing back but this would allow me to bring Nathan Patterson on to the right. His ambition is often to get forward and in this setup he has the protection to do that. It would also allow me to move Ashley Young to the left. He has the vision to help Everton going forward from this position and Vitalii Mykolenko possibly needs a rest after months of injury issues.

Pickford; Young, Branthwaite, Keane, Tarkowski, Patterson; Mangala, Doucoure, Gueye; Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin

Chris Beesley

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the match-winner the last time Everton went to West Ham United but that was also the day that Blues’ boy wonder Jarrad Branthwaite became a man, so as they head back to the London Stadium, it’s time ‘The Carlisle Kaiser’ was given an overdue recall to the starting line-up. Back in the corresponding fixture on October 29 last year, one moment summed up an afternoon that had manager Sean Dyche hailing his “immaculate” young centre-back.

Branthwaite ‘devoured’ Michail Antonio as the West Ham striker was left pole-axed by the rookie’s strength when setting up the move for what proved to be the only goal of the game. It’s that kind of dominance in defence that Everton have missed so far this term so after being kept on the bench until after the Blues fell behind late on at Southampton, the 22-year-old needs to recalled in the capital.

Dwight McNeil remains a doubt for the fixture so if he’s not fit enough to retain his place then Jack Harrison can be recalled but otherwise it’s the same again for me. Vitalii Mykolenko really struggled at St Mary’s but hopefully a return from Branthwaite can help him by strengthening that side of the back four.

Pickford; Young, Mykolenko; Tarkowski, Branthwaite; Gueye, Mangala, Lindstrom, McNeil, Ndiaye; Calvert-Lewin