Everton will face West Ham on Sunday afternoon, with both teams struggling throughout the current campaign.
The Toffees and the Hammers have become somewhat rivals in recent seasons, the Londoners are considered competitors for the European spots along with the Blues (they wish, anyway) so it’s expected to be a close game.
The Hammers come into the game off the back of a win against Sunderland, courtesy of a Winston Reid winner in added time while Everton go into the game off the back of an extremely disappointing defeat at the hands of Burnley.
Everton remain in the top six, though West Ham will be looking to move out the bottom half of the table and towards their targets of at least Europa League qualification following their disappointing exit in the qualifying stages this year.
Anyway, we’re here to give you our combined first XI, so let’s not keep you waiting for any longer!
Maarten Stekelenburg
Had been in inspired form this season prior to the trip to Burnley, so only fitting he gets the start over Adrian who has been conceding goals for fun.
Seamus Coleman
Sam Byram has been sidelined with a big injury since the beginning of the month, so we were left with no choice other than to include the Irishman.
Winston Reid
Scored the late winner against Sunderland on the weekend and we think he would get the start over Phil Jagielka due to the Englishman’s poor form.
Ashley Willaims
This was a given. Incredibly impressive since signing in the summer, runs the defence by himself and has put in some brilliant personal performances.
Leighton Baines
Everton’s performances of late and their ineffective attack have conveniently coincided with the absence of Leighton Baines.
His set piece threat, his passes that get the ball straight up to Romelu Lukaku and his experience are vital to any team.
Gareth Barry
It’s Gaz Baz, it was a given.
Reliable, calm, collected, boss.
Idrissa 'Gana' Gueye
Possibly signing of the season but no doubt he won’t get the credit N’Golo Kante did in his first season as Everton continue to struggle.
Instrumental to any team and we certainly wouldn’t see him out of place at the majority of clubs in the Premier League.
Michail Antonio
Was in good scoring form early on in the season, though hasn’t scored in four games.
With Gerard Deulofeu and Kevin Mirallas seemingly off the pace this season, there wasn’t much choice.
Dimitri Payet
It’s Payet, he has to be in there somewhere.
If only James McCarthy wasn’t injured, maybe he could have snapped him in half again.
Yannick Bolasie
Blew hot and cold so far this season but scored one hell of a goal on Saturday against Burnley.
Still more to come from Yannick it seems.
Romelu Lukaku
No questions asked over this one.
Scores goals for fun, especially against West Ham. Get yourself another one this weekend, Rom.