Everton head into their clash with Brentford on Sunday hoping to build on a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on December 30, where James Garner and Thierno Barry found the net.
Softfootball reported that the Toffees are aiming to secure consecutive league victories for the first time in a month, despite struggling for goals in recent weeks, with morale having been dampened by a 2–0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and a narrow loss to Arsenal in a feisty Premier League encounter.
Brentford, meanwhile, arrive in Merseyside on the back of a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton, ending a four-match away losing streak. The Bees have failed to score in four of their last six away league matches and have not beaten Everton in six previous league meetings, drawing three times.
Manager Thomas Frank’s side will look to continue their four-match unbeaten run in the league and move closer to the top half of the table. Brentford has posted about the match on their official X handle, generating excitement among traveling supporters.
Team News
Everton will be without Seamus Coleman, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jarrad Branthwaite, Idrissa Gueye, and Iliman Ndiaye due to injuries or AFCON duty. Jack Grealish remains the key man in attack, supported by James Garner.
Brentford miss Antoni Milambo, Josh Dasilva, and Fabio Carvalho, while Frank Onyeka and Dango Ouattara are at AFCON. Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade will lead the offensive charge.
Possible Lineups
Everton: Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, O’Brien, Mykolenko; Iroegbunam, Garner; McNeil, Rohl, Grealish; Barry
Brentford: Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Henry; Henderson, Janelt, Yarmolyuk; Lewis-Potter, Thiago, Schade
Softfootball Prediction
Everton 1-1 Brentford. While Everton have been solid at home and Brentford have struggled on the road, both teams have recent form that makes this tough to call. The Toffees could edge it if Grealish carries the attack, but Brentford’s confidence from their unbeaten run suggests the points may be shared.
