Everton vs Wolves predicted XIs: who will replace Alex Iwobi and Matheus Nunes in starting line-ups?

Everton and Wolves will both be hoping to pick up their first points of the new Premier League campaign on Saturday afternoon in a clash at Goodison Park that already feels as if it has the whiff of a six-pointer about it. After two defeats in two over the past fortnight, the Toffees and their visitors will be eager to kickstart their sluggish seasons after less than auspicious beginnings.

For Sean Dyche’s men, a humbling 4-0 loss to Aston Villa last weekend came on the heels of a opening day defeat against Fulham, and already there are simmering fears that the Blues could be in for another difficult campaign towards the foot of the table.

As for Wanderers, their curtain-raiser against Manchester United was mired in frustration following a late VAR controversy, and a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford was soured further by a 4-1 whitewash at the hands of Brighton last time out. That result left them 19th in the table, with Saturday’s opponents, Everton, the only side beneath them.

But how will both teams line up on Merseyside this weekend? Check out our predicted XIs, plus team news, below...

Everton team news

When your luck is out, it is out. It’s bad enough that Everton are in a real funk on the pitch, but matters are unlikely to be made any better by the raft of injury absentees they are currently having to deal with. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Alex Iwobi have joined the likes of Dwight McNeil, Seamus Coleman, Dele Alli, and new signing Jack Harrison on the sidelines, while Andre Gomes and teenage striker Youssef Chermiti could be assessed closer to Saturday’s match.

In goal, Jordan Pickford will undoubtedly feature, while the aforementioned injury to Coleman means that Nathan Patterson is enjoying a prolonged run in the side at right-back. On the opposite flank, Vitaliy Mykolenko is pushing for a start, but don’t be surprised to see the veteran Ashley Young retain his place in the team, while at the heart of defence James Tarkowski may be partnered by Ben Godfrey, who could come in to replace the out-of-form Michael Keane.

A midfield trio of Idrissa Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Amadou Onana is likely to remain unchanged, even amid speculation surrounding the latter’s future at Goodison Park, but in attacking areas, Dyche could be forced into changes. James Garner will more than likely retain his berth out on the right, but with Iwobi and Calvert-Lewin both missing, starts could be handed to Arnaut Danjuma and Neal Maupay.

Full predicted Everton XI

Jordan Pickford; Nathan Patterson, James Tarkowski, Ben Godfrey, Ashley Young; Idrissa Gueye, Amadou Onana, Abdoulaye Doucoure; James Garner, Arnaut Danjuma, Neal Maupay.

Wolves team news

By comparison, Gary O’Neil has relatively few absences to contend with, and as such could name a predominantly unchanged side against the Toffees. Jose Sa will start between the sticks, while Nelson Semedo, Craig Dawson, Max Kilman, and Rayan Ait-Nouri are likely to make up the back four in front of him.

In midfield is where we could see a slight alteration, however. Matheus Nunes’ late dismissal against Brighton means that he is suspended for the trip to Merseyside, with the most probable candidate to replace him being Pablo Sarabia - assuming O’Neil persists with the same shape that he has in Wolves’ past two outings. Elsewhere, Pedro Neto should feature on the other flank, with Joao Gomes and Mario Lemina in the centre, and Matheus Cunha operating just off the main striker.

In terms of Wanderers’ centre forward options, Fabio Silva was given the nod against Brighton, but it was substitute Hwang Hee-chan who scored his side’s first goal of the season after coming on in the second-half. With that in mind, don’t be surprised to see the South Korean included from the first whistle on Saturday afternoon.

Full predicted Wolves XI

Jose Sa; Nelson Semedo, Craig Dawson, Max Kilman, Rayan Ait-Nouri; Pablo Sarabia, Joao Gomes, Mario Lemina, Pedro Neto; Matheus Cunha, Hwang Hee-chan.