Everton v Arsenal predictions

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 12.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Arsenal and under 4.5 goals
2pts 7-10 BoyleSports, Coral, Ladbrokes

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Team news

Everton
Andros Townsend, Nathan Patterson and Michael Keane are all sidelined with knee injuries while James Garner and Ben Godfrey are doubtful.

Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus, Mohamed Elneny and Reiss Nelson are out. Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey will be assessed. Deadline day arrival Jorginho is in line for a debut.

Match preview

Arsenal might not have chosen to be the first team to face Sean Dyche's Everton, but they have demonstrated a title-winning mentality in recent weeks and should secure another massive three points at Goodison Park.

Having appointed Dyche on Monday, transfer deadline day was a shambles for Everton, who failed to get any deals over the line. It left a sour taste in the mouth of Toffees' fans but their support is going to be needed if Everton are to have any hope of getting out of trouble.

Everton's great escape last season was largely down to home results. Nine of their 11 league wins came at Goodison, including successes over Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Visiting teams were often greeted by a wall of noise and Dyche will be hoping for more of the same between now and the end of the season.

However, the new manager will be aware of the need to give the crowd some reason for hope, and the very least he will ask of his players is an organised and committed performance.

Losing to Arsenal looks likely even if Everton play close to their best, but a heavy defeat could damage them well beyond the weekend.

Dyche is sure to demand that certain standards are kept irrespective of the way the game starts and his team should put up greater resistance than was the case in recent home losses to Brighton (1-4) and Southampton (1-2).

Arsenal must prepare themselves for a highly motivated opponent, a hostile environment and a change of tactics from the home side, who are likely to adopt a more direct style. But the Londoners will take to the field high on confidence and fully expecting to rack up a fifth straight away league win.

Mikel Arteta made six changes for last Friday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Manchester City and watched his team slide to 1-0 defeat.

Winning the Premier League is at the forefront of his mind, though, and recent victories at Tottenham (2-0) and at home to Manchester United (3-2) are evidence of a team which seems to be responding positively to the pressure of a title race.

They have 19 games to go and staying ahead of Manchester City will require a huge effort, and perhaps some luck on the injury front given the lack of depth in areas of their squad.

However, there is nothing but positivity in the Gunners' camp at present and it is hard to imagine anything other than Arsenal taking another step towards the title on Merseyside.

Key stat

Arsenal have won eight of their last nine league games.

Probable teams

Everton (4-4-2): Pickford; Coleman, Coady, Tarkowsi, Mykolenko; Gray, Onana, Gueye, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin, Maupay.
Subs: Begovic, Mina, Iwobi, Vinagre, Price, Holgate, Davies, Simms, Doucoure.

Arsenal (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Xhaka; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.
Subs: Turner, Trossard, Tierney, Kiwior, Holding, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Tomiyasu, Partey.