Everton vs Liverpool preview: Team news, likely lineups, score prediction

Everton are back in Premier League action on Sunday, as they welcome Liverpool for the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

It has been a fantastic year for the Toffees, who find themselves in the hunt for their first European finish since 2017.

Taking on direct rivals Brentford last week, goals from Beto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall would keep these dreams intact.

This weekend, they welcome their nearest and dearest, who have had a dismal season following their Premier League title win last May.

Facing Liverpool on Sunday, David Moyes’ side will be looking to secure a huge result against the neighbours ahead of a crucial run-in, with continental hopes on the line.

Form guide

Everton (last six games all comps): DWLWWL

Liverpool (last six games all comps): LWLLLW

Head-to-head

Historically, the red half of the city have had the upper hand in the derby, with 96 wins to Everton’s 64, with 75 draws alongside.

This is the case once again when it comes to the head-to-head record since the inception of the Premier League.

A mainstay of the top-flight calendar, the Merseyside derby has been quite low scoring historically, but the Toffees have proven capable of getting a result against their rivals in recent times.

Fans will remember the final derby at Goodison Park last term, when James Tarkowski rattled in a last minute equaliser, or the 2-0 victory on home soil in 2024.

Welcoming the Reds to their new stomping ground for the first time, the Toffees will be looking to make another big statement as they did before leaving Goodison.

Team news and predicted lineups

On the team news front, not much changes for Moyes, with Jack Grealish and Charly Alcarez the only absentees.

Though he does have a big decision to make after Tyrique George’s stunning cameo against Brentford last time out.

Proving a real livewire, the Chelsea loanee tormented the Bees’ backline, playing an integral role as the Blues secured a late point.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s derby, the 20-year-old may just be in line to have a go at the Liverpool defence from the off, with his performance last time out giving Moyes something to think about in the build-up.

For Liverpool, it is not looking too good on the injury front.

Summer signing Hugo Ekitike was forced off against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday and is set to miss the best part of nine months, on the same evening he started alongside Alexander Isak for the first time in months.

Both Curtis Jones and Joe Gomez are doubts, while Alisson and Wataru Endo remain out until the late stages of the season.

Defenders Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are sidelined until the end of the term, while Stefan Bajcetic continues his stint out of action after a torrid time with injuries.

Bradley’s absence in particular could be huge for the Toffees, with the electric Iliman Ndiaye potentially set to go up against Jeremie Frimpong.

We say: Everton 2-0 Liverpool

While it may be a stretch to label Everton as favourites going into the derby, they simply must take the opportunity handed to them in the European race.

Liverpool have proven extremely vulnerable this season, while Moyes’ side have proven themselves as more than capable against top opposition – beating Chelsea 3-0 in their last home match.

Bolstering their European chances, a win against the neighbours would be a huge statement heading into the crucial run-in.

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

The post Everton vs Liverpool preview: Team news, likely lineups, score prediction appeared first on Goodison News.