Everton will make the trip to South Yorkshire in high spirits when they face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Boxing Day, having won their last three Premier League matches.
Under Carlo Ancelotti, Everton made a fantastic start to the season, unbeaten in their first five Premier League outings, before hitting a three-match losing streak. Regardless it is a run that saw the Toffees sit on the thrown of the Premier League table, though they have wandered off slightly, in the fourth position they have put themselves into a great position to challenge for a European spot, question is, can they maintain it?
They come into this fixture at Bramall Lane in a strong position, league position aside; the Goodison Park club are unbeaten in their last three league outings having picked up maximum points over Chelsea (1-0), Leicester City (2-0), and Arsenal (2-1). They have also made their way into the Quarter-Finals of the League Cup and face Manchester United three days ago. Blades fans will be hoping that this fixture will take its toll on the Evertonian players ahead of their trip to South Yorkshire.
No doubt they will be looking to star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, formerly of this parish, to steer Everton in the right direction. He already has 16 goals to his name this season, including two hat-tricks earlier in the campaign over West Ham and West Brom. Not that we wish to jinx anything but, to date, the former Blades forward has yet to score against his former club, though he came close in the fixture at Bramall Lane last season his header hit the woodwork.
Everton is expected to be without Fabian Delph (thigh), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (calf), Lucas Digne (ankle), and Allan Marques Lourero (thigh), through injury. However, they may be boosted by the return of James Rodriguez (calf), and Andre Gomes (thigh), who is close to a return.
Last Time
Sheffield United 0-1 Everton – 20.07.2020 – Premier League
Forthcoming Blades Fixtures;
29 Dec – Burnley (a) 18:00
02 Jan – Crystal Palace (a) 15:00
09 Jan – Bristol Rovers (a) 15:00 – FAC3
12 Jan – Newcastle United (h) 18:00
17 Jan – Tottenham Hotspur (h) 14:00
27 Jan – Manchester United (a) 20:15
30 Jan – Manchester City (a) 15:00