West Ham travel to Merseyside on Sunday to face fellow strugglers Everton, with both sides in desperate need of points.

Goals from Manuel Lanzini, Gianluca Scamacca and Craig Dawson were enough to help the Hammers edge past Silkeborg on Thursday in the Europa Conference League as they secured their second win of their European campaign.

 

However, their form in Europe has not translated to league form as the East London side currently sit in the relegation zone- below Sundays opponents on goal difference. 

In contrast to their opponents, Everton have not been in action since September 3rd where they held their bitter rivals Liverpool to a goalless draw. The Toffees are still yet to pick up a win, drawing their last four games, leaving them in 17th.

1994 was the last time Everton failed to win any of their opening seven games with Sunday providing a real opportunity to get their season up and running against a perhaps fatigued West Ham side. 

David Moyes's side has tasted victory on their last two outings to Goodison Park, both by a narrow 1-0 scoreline.

 

  • Team News

Everton

Dominic Calvert- Lewin could make his long awaited return to the squad after sustaining a knee injury in pre-season. Frank Lampard said that he is "close" to full fitness.

He continued "We'll see come Sunday whether he's ready to start a game  or not".

"We have to be careful with him, obviously, because he had a difficult injury, so we'll see for the weekend".

Goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford will miss out after sustaining a thigh injury in the Merseyside derby, with Asmir Begovic set to deputise. Pickford is not expected to be back until after the international break confirmed Lampard.

New signing, James Garner is "ready to be involved" and is "now fit for selection".

Abdoulaye Doucoure is also closing in on a return after picking up a hamstring injury against Aston Villa in August.

 

West Ham

Defenders, Ben Johnson (thigh) and Nayef Aguerd (ankle are not in contention with the latter not expected to be back until after the World Cup.

Apart from that, David Moyes has no fresh injury concerns going into this game.

 

  • Likely lineups

Everton

Begovic; Patterson, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Onana, Davies, Iwobi; Gordon, Maupay, Gray

West Ham

Fabianski; Coufal, Zouma, Dawson, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Fornals; Antonio

 

  • Key Players

Everton- Amadou Onana

Everton's summer signing comes into this game off the back of an impressive performance in the Merseyside Derby. The Belgian could be key in helping Everton to overpower West Ham's likely midfield pivot of Rice and Soucek. It looks set to be an interesting battle in the middle of the park, with Onana's engine and mobility being a potential problem for his midfield opponents.

West Ham actually agreed a fee for Onana in August but the move collapsed as personal terms proved to be an issue.

Moyes admitted "We were close"(to signing him). "It was just one of the periods in the transfer window where I have got to say it was very stressful and difficult to get things done and this was one of the periods where we couldn't quite get this one over the line."

"We were looking to bring him in. He's an up and coming player and for long periods, we thought we would have got him but it didn't quite work and he ended up at Everton."

Onana will be keen to impress both his current boss as well as the team that desperately tried to sign him on Sunday.

 

 

West Ham- Jarrod Bowen

Bowen is yet to register a league goal this season, with both his goals coming in the Europa Conference League. However, the last time the two sides faced off, he scored the winner in a 2-1 victory at the London stadium.

The winger will still be fresh after only playing the last 27 minutes on Thursday and with the news of him being named in Gareth Southgate's latest England squad, he will regain confidence and could be vital to solving West Ham's goal scoring problems with the Hammers being the lowest scorers in the division (3). 

 

 

  • Match Details

Where is the game being played?

The match will take place at Goodison Park.

What time is the match?

Kick off is scheduled for 2-15 BST.

How to watch?

The game is available to watch on Sky Sports.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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