Same old, same old.
Last week Everton were in cruise control against a Crystal Palace side who look like they’re on their holidays.
One nil up having dominated the whole game creating chance after chance.
Then they let their opposition have one golden opportunity and throw the game away.
Not just throwing the game away but it looks very likely Everton thrown away their best chance of getting into Europe’s elite competition.
Ancelotti’s men currently sit in eighth place ten points off the top four.
There is a slight chance they can get themselves back in the fight but the Toffees simply have to put a winning run together, more dropped points at Brighton would see the chance escape.
To get the victory at the Amex stadium they’ll need stat man James Rodriguez to be on his game just like he was against Crystal Palace.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke about him in his press conference for the game saying: “He has completely recovered. Playing improves his condition. We have to take care to recover him well after games, but his condition is good and he is motivated.
“It’s difficult to say if he’s 100%. He’s pushing in training, he’s working well, so his condition is good. There’s no doubt about this.”
So he’ll be ready to the trip to Brighton but Jordan Pickford will still be unavailable for selection meaning Swedish international Robin Olsen will start again.
Andre Gomes will also not be available whilst Allan will be checked after missing the Palace game.
Fortunately though Alex Iwobi will be back and ready to play.
For Brighton defenders Dan Burn and Adam Webster both trained but manager Graham Potter did not confirm that they’ll be involved on Monday.
The expected goals specialists are still desperate for points being in the relegation dog fight.
Currently The Seagulls are only six points ahead of 18th place but do have games in hand on Fulham so they need to take advantage of that against Everton.
With Everton light on midfielders for the match there could be a surprise for Brighton with Jean-Phillipe Gbamin possibly getting a start.
Ancelotti said: “I think that Jean-Philippe Gbamin can play. He’s training properly, he’s not used to the intensity of the Premier League so we have to take care of this.
“Now, with the medical staff, we have to decide how long he can play. He will be a fantastic midfielder.”
A big confidence boost for the midfielder to get up and running but hopefully he isn’t rushed into the side too soon.
A confidence boost is what Everton have to get here because otherwise the fear will be that Ancelotti’s men are sleep walking to mid-table mediocrity.
Written by Elliot Thompson
