Brentford vs Everton preview: Team news, likely lineups and score prediction

Everton are back in Premier League action on Saturday as they travel to Brentford.

By the time that the two sides lock horns, it will have been three weeks since they kicked a ball in anger, with the Premier League paused due to the international break followed by the FA Cup quarter-finals over Easter weekend.

David Moyes‘ side kept up their European momentum before the break, with the Toffees securing a magnificent 3-0 win against Chelsea on home soil – finally picking up successive wins at Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time.

They sit eighth in the standings, just a place behind Saturday’s opponent Brentford, who themselves have had a magnificent campaign under Keith Andrews.

Looking ahead to what will be a pivotal clash in the race for European football, Goodison News brings you everything you need to know.

Form guide

Brentford (last six games all comps): DDLDWL

Everton (last six games all comps): WLWWLL

Head-to-head

Back in January, the Toffees fell to a 4-2 defeat against Brentford on home soil – a result that solidified the European credentials of the Bees.

Heading into Saturday’s clash, both sides carry an identical record when it comes to their record against one another since Brentford’s ascent to the top flight in 2021.

This is echoed by the placement in the league of the respective sides this season too, with the pair separated by just goal difference as they battle for European football.

Looking to reverse January’s result, the Blues make the trip to West London knowing just what a win would do for their European hopes.

Team news and predicted lineups

On the team news front, Moyes will be delighted to welcome Jarrad Branthwaite fully back to the fold after the defender has spent months out on the sidelines.

One of Everton’s star players, Branthwaite saw 12 minutes on the pitch against Chelsea before the break, but naturally has had to get up to speed.

Aided by the break, Saturday’s showdown could come in perfect timing, with the 23-year-old potentially set to be thrown back in by Moyes.

Charly Alcaraz and Jack Grealish remain the only other absentees for the Blues.

For Brentford, boss Andrews remains without full-backs Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry, while Vitaly Janelt and Fabio Carvalho are also sidelined.

Josh Dasilva, alongside Carvalho, is expected to miss the remaining weeks of the term.

Brentford predicted XI: Kelleher; Kayode, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Yarmolyuk, Henderson, Jensen; Schade, Thiago

Everton predicted XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto

We say: Brentford 1-2 Everton

While Everton did fall to a defeat against Brentford back in January, they have just continued to get better and better under Moyes as the campaign has gone on.

Form does somewhat go out the window given the extended break, but the Toffees could gain European momentum straight away with a win on their travels, taking the form into next week’s Merseyside derby.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

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