Everton vs Arsenal: Preview, Team News, Predicted Lineups and Score Prediction

Everton are set to host Arsenal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in a Premier League clash with significant implications, particularly for the visitors on Saturday.

A victory for Mikel Arteta's side would guarantee them the top spot in the league table at Christmas for the third time in the last four seasons. This would be a notable achievement, considering they only managed this feat twice in the first 30 Premier League campaigns.

While other results could see them remain at the summit, it is widely expected that Manchester City will defeat West Ham earlier in the day, temporarily moving a point clear. Therefore, the pressure is on the Gunners to secure all three points.

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Beyond the league standings, Arsenal will be eager to deliver a convincing performance and reaffirm their title credentials after a less-than-stellar win against Wolves in their previous outing. In that match, the Gunners failed to register a single shot on target in the first half at the Emirates—a first for them since December 2021—and relied on two own goals to secure the victory.

However, securing a win at Goodison Park is far from a given. Since 2018, Arsenal have won just one of their seven trips to Everton, drawing two and losing four. Both league encounters between the two clubs last season ended in draws.

For ninth-placed Everton, manager David Moyes has fostered a growing sense of optimism, with some fans dreaming of a push for European qualification. However, a demanding festive schedule is compounded by a significant list of absentees.

Arsenal suffered another defensive setback in their win over Wolves, with Ben White forced off with a hamstring injury. The right-back is expected to be sidelined for at least a month, joining Cristhian Mosquera (ankle), Gabriel Magalhaes (thigh), Kai Havertz (knee), and Max Dowman (ankle) in the treatment room.

However, the Gunners will welcome back Riccardo Calafiori from suspension. His return will likely see Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, and Piero Hincapie shift across the backline. In midfield and attack, Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard are expected to be recalled to the starting lineup.

For Everton, key midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was substituted just 16 minutes into the match against Chelsea with a hamstring issue and will miss this game. The hosts are also without Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye, who are on duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

There is some positive news for Moyes, as Jack Grealish has been declared fit after a hamstring scare. Merlin Rohl (groin) has also returned to training and could be available. However, Jarrad Branthwaite (thigh) and Seamus Coleman (hamstring) remain unavailable for selection.

Everton: Pickford; O'Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Garner, Iroegbunam; Dibling, Alcaraz, Grealish; Barry

Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard

Despite their recent struggles for clean sheets and a less-than-convincing performance last week, Arsenal's quality should see them through. Everton's injury list, particularly the absence of key players, will likely be too much to overcome against the league leaders.