Will Liverpool be Red or Blue? - XI predictions
by Chris
Welcome to the ninth day and third edition of the day of the Sporting Lowdown advent calendar! This will be continued until the 24th December so any requests for my opinion will most likely be included in the 24 and in the future.
Simon Mignolet - the Reds league goalkeeper has a mistake in him, but has been relatively solid in the past 12 months
Joe Gomez - As Alexander-Arnold came on for Dejan Lovren in the week, I expect Gomez to start at right-back, as he has done with aplomb this season for Liverpool.
Ragnar Klavan - Estonia's most capped player has been very solid for the Reds this season, but his exposure of his poor right foot could prove good news for Everton.
Dejan Lovren - After a nightmare half an hour against Spurs at Wembley, Lovren has been outstanding in the games he's played in, looking very composed on the ball and making no notable individual mistakes.
Andrew Robertson - Although Milner would be an experienced replacement in a big match, Robertson returned with a decent performance in the 5-1 victory at Brighton, perhaps with the eventuality in mind that Moreno could get injured.
Jordan Henderson (c) - Jurgen Klopp confirmed that after not playing in the annihilation of Spartak Moscow in the week, Henderson would definitely start in the Derby. Although he hasn't returned to his form of 13/14, he has been a decent performer for the Reds this season.
Gini Wijnaldum - The Dutchman has adopted strange roles at left wing and centre half already this season, but his box-to-box mentality will certainly be helpful for Liverpool in this derby.
Phillippe Coutinho - Fresh from a hat trick in midweek, Coutinho will not be captain but may hope to have the same impact in this fixture.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - After deploying the fab four in midweek, I think Jurgen Klopp will bring in the Ox as he offers work rate and gives press in a variety of positions.
Roberto Firmino - Perhaps one of the most underrated players in the League, Firmino's work rate is never underestimated at Anfield, with the Brazilian being involved in more goals than Lukaku, Morata and Aguero so far this season (18)
Sadio Mane - Although Salah has been scintillating so far this season, I reckon Klopp will bring him on from the bench whatever situation Liverpool find themselves in tomorrow. Mane has a good record against Everton and flying high after bagging a brace in midweek.
Bench - Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Can, Salah, Sturridge, Solanke, Milner
Welcome to the ninth day and third edition of the day of the Sporting Lowdown advent calendar! This will be continued until the 24th December so any requests for my opinion will most likely be included in the 24 and in the future.
The most hyped weekend of the Premier League season is here. Two of the biggest derbies in world football, the Merseyside and Manchester varieties. Here are my predictions for the 11 that will play for each team in the Merseyside derby, with only a brief reasoning, because I have a had a long day writing and as this is the final part of a three-piece day, it may not be as in-depth as the previous two, but it will be just as much of a read as the previous two, which if you haven't already checked out I would appreciate if you did.
LIVERPOOL vs EVERTON
Anfield
2:15pm KO
Predicted LFC XI:
Joe Gomez - As Alexander-Arnold came on for Dejan Lovren in the week, I expect Gomez to start at right-back, as he has done with aplomb this season for Liverpool.
Ragnar Klavan - Estonia's most capped player has been very solid for the Reds this season, but his exposure of his poor right foot could prove good news for Everton.
Dejan Lovren - After a nightmare half an hour against Spurs at Wembley, Lovren has been outstanding in the games he's played in, looking very composed on the ball and making no notable individual mistakes.
Andrew Robertson - Although Milner would be an experienced replacement in a big match, Robertson returned with a decent performance in the 5-1 victory at Brighton, perhaps with the eventuality in mind that Moreno could get injured.
Jordan Henderson (c) - Jurgen Klopp confirmed that after not playing in the annihilation of Spartak Moscow in the week, Henderson would definitely start in the Derby. Although he hasn't returned to his form of 13/14, he has been a decent performer for the Reds this season.
Gini Wijnaldum - The Dutchman has adopted strange roles at left wing and centre half already this season, but his box-to-box mentality will certainly be helpful for Liverpool in this derby.
Phillippe Coutinho - Fresh from a hat trick in midweek, Coutinho will not be captain but may hope to have the same impact in this fixture.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - After deploying the fab four in midweek, I think Jurgen Klopp will bring in the Ox as he offers work rate and gives press in a variety of positions.
Roberto Firmino - Perhaps one of the most underrated players in the League, Firmino's work rate is never underestimated at Anfield, with the Brazilian being involved in more goals than Lukaku, Morata and Aguero so far this season (18)
Sadio Mane - Although Salah has been scintillating so far this season, I reckon Klopp will bring him on from the bench whatever situation Liverpool find themselves in tomorrow. Mane has a good record against Everton and flying high after bagging a brace in midweek.
Bench - Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Can, Salah, Sturridge, Solanke, Milner
Mignolet
Gomez Lovren Klavan Robertson
Henderson
Wijnaldum Coutinho
Ox Firmino Mane
Predicted EFC XI
Jordan Pickford - The ex-Sunderland stopper arrived for £30m in the summer and has made a fair start but not exceptional to his Everton career
Jonjoe Kenny - A local lad no stranger to the rivalry. The full backs are the areas at the moment which Everton aren't doing great with depth wise during the injury to Coleman, but young Kenny has done reasonably well for himself as another good youth prospect from the Everton youth system.
Ashley Williams - The former Swansea captain hasn't had the greatest start to the season but is a very solid defender for Allardyce's men.
Phil Jagielka - The scorer of a stunning equaliser for Everton back in September 2014. Back from injury and is expected to slot back in ahead of Keane and Holgate.
Cuco Martina - Fresh injury worries to Leighton Baines could lead to the ex-Saints man starting in the Merseyside derby.
Idrissa Gana Gueye - Senegalese engine Gueye was my choice for Everton's unsung hero because of his never-ending work rate and tireless interceptions and tackles, and he will be key if the Toffees are to gain victory in this match.
Morgan Schneiderlin - After a poor first 11 months at Everton, Schneiderlin will be hoping for a fresh start under Sam Allardyce and seems to fit the bill as his type of player.
Gylfi Sigurdsson - Everton's record signing has come into form in recent weeks, bagging a goal in the home win over Huddesfield. Its where he will be deployed which will be interesting.
Wayne Rooney - The returning Rooney has been one of Everton's only salvations this season, scoring an absolute screamer in David Unsworth's final match in charge against West Ham.
Kevin Mirallas - The Belgian came back into favour under Unsworth after seeming to be frozen out by Koeman. His pace could be key if Everton get in behind Liverpool's defence.
Baye Oumar Niasse - Another compatriot of Gueye and Mane, the former Hull loanee has been excellent since returning to the Everton first team, and its his burst of form which started Everton's mini-revival from 17th to 10th.
Bench - Robles, Keane, Holgate, Davies, Baningime, Lennon, Calvert-Lewin
Ashley Williams - The former Swansea captain hasn't had the greatest start to the season but is a very solid defender for Allardyce's men.
Phil Jagielka - The scorer of a stunning equaliser for Everton back in September 2014. Back from injury and is expected to slot back in ahead of Keane and Holgate.
Cuco Martina - Fresh injury worries to Leighton Baines could lead to the ex-Saints man starting in the Merseyside derby.
Idrissa Gana Gueye - Senegalese engine Gueye was my choice for Everton's unsung hero because of his never-ending work rate and tireless interceptions and tackles, and he will be key if the Toffees are to gain victory in this match.
Morgan Schneiderlin - After a poor first 11 months at Everton, Schneiderlin will be hoping for a fresh start under Sam Allardyce and seems to fit the bill as his type of player.
Gylfi Sigurdsson - Everton's record signing has come into form in recent weeks, bagging a goal in the home win over Huddesfield. Its where he will be deployed which will be interesting.
Wayne Rooney - The returning Rooney has been one of Everton's only salvations this season, scoring an absolute screamer in David Unsworth's final match in charge against West Ham.
Kevin Mirallas - The Belgian came back into favour under Unsworth after seeming to be frozen out by Koeman. His pace could be key if Everton get in behind Liverpool's defence.
Baye Oumar Niasse - Another compatriot of Gueye and Mane, the former Hull loanee has been excellent since returning to the Everton first team, and its his burst of form which started Everton's mini-revival from 17th to 10th.
Bench - Robles, Keane, Holgate, Davies, Baningime, Lennon, Calvert-Lewin
Pickford
Kenny Williams Jagielka Martina
Schneiderlin Gana
Sigurdsson Rooney Mirallas
Niasse
I hope you enjoyed the final piece of the triple-header today in the Sporting Lowdown.I will be busy tomorrow so will probably not be able to release anything, so look forward to a double-header on Monday, probably reviews of both Derbies. Score prediction? I couldn't call it as I may tempt fate, so I'll sit on the fence.
Thanks for reading,
Chris
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