The Breakdown | Everton vs Wolves

#1 Inside both camps

The primary decision facing Gary O’Neil before the trip to Merseyside is who will replace the suspended Matheus Nunes. The Portuguese was dismissed for a late altercation in Saturday’s defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion and will now serve a one-match suspension. Hee Chan Hwang has done everything he can to be the man to take the shirt, having come off the bench to score Wolves’ first goal of the season against the Seagulls. Other incomings could come through Pablo Sarabia, who impressed against Manchester United, but was replaced by Fabio Silva for Brighton. Matt Doherty and Hugo Bueno continue to provide competition in the full-back positions, likewise Toti and Sasa Kalajdzic at the opposite ends of the pitch.

In Sunday’s defeat to Aston Villa, Everton lost Alex Iwobi and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to injury, with the former suffering a hamstring problem and the latter forced off with a face injury, after clashing with Emiliano Martinez, so both will miss Saturday. The Toffees were already without Dwight McNeil, Seamus Coleman and Dele Alli. Sean Dyche was keen not to rush new signing Youssef Chermiti into action too earlier either, with teenager joining from Sporting CP recently. Fellow new arrival Arnaut Danjuma has come off the bench in the opening two weeks and may be pushing for a start at Goodison Park.

Taking on the Toffees 🔜 pic.twitter.com/2N9vs9T5JZ

— Wolves (@Wolves) August 23, 2023

#2 Coming into it

Wolves have lost their opening two matches of the Premier League season in very different circumstances. The opening day reverse to Manchester United was narrow and unfortunate, whereas Brighton’s ruthless streak ended last Saturday’s contest by the hour mark. However, high chance creation in both fixtures will give Gary O’Neil hope when travelling to Merseyside this weekend, looking to get off the mark as Wolves head coach.

Wolves’ last three | W 3-1 Stade Rennais (H) – L 1-0 Man United (A) – L 4-1 Brighton (H)

Similarly, Everton are without a point for their efforts so far this term. On day one against Fulham they were the better team, and deserved more than they finished with, given the clear cut chances they created. However, across the West Midlands at Villa Park last weekend, the Toffees were well beaten by Aston Villa 4-0 and rarely threatened the home goal, leaving Dyche without a point from the opening two weeks.

Everton’s last three | W 1-0 Sporting CP (H) – L 1-0 Fulham (H) – L 4-0 Aston Villa (A)

#3 Since last time

Wolves 1 Everton 1 | 20^th May 2023

For Wolves, last season’s Everton clash was the curtain closer for Molineux, based on relief after the club’s Premier League status was secured for another season. Of the 11, Nathan Collins, Ruben Neves and Adama Traore are no longer at the club, while only Nelson Semedo, Craig Dawson and Joao Gomes started last weekend against Brighton.

Wolves | Bentley, Semedo, Collins, Dawson, Toti, Adama, Neves, Gomes, Podence, Sarabia, Hwang.

As for Everton, the fixture held much more importance, with their 99^th minute equaliser ensuring the battle for Premier League survival would go down to the final day. Only goal scorer that day Yerry Mina has since left the club, while McNeil was the only other Toffees to start that day, but not at Villa Park last Sunday.

Everton | Pickford, Patterson, Mina, Tarkowski, McNeil, Gueye, Garner, Onana, Doucoure, Iwobi, Calvert-Lewin.

Signing off from Molineux for 2022/23.

🇰🇷⚽️ pic.twitter.com/UYMGVwoCue

— Wolves (@Wolves) May 20, 2023

#4 In the media

Former Old Gold midfielder Dave Edwards, in his Express & Star column, backed attacking duo of Hwang and Cunha to start producing in front of goal.

He said: “After that devastating 10 minutes, I was impressed with how Wolves regained some momentum and in particular Hwang was excellent coming off the bench. He is a player that should be fighting to start games. He’s the most likely goal scorer and is very direct in his play. Cunha also picked up some wonderful positions and drives forward with the ball, even if his end product let him down. He’s just missing a goal or assist to his game.”

One time Everton striker Kevin Campbell spoke to Sky Sports following the loss at Villa, reiterating the importance of avoiding another relegation battle.

He said: “That's what every other Toffee doesn't want, but the way things are going the vibe isn’t good. The vibes are looking like there's going to be another battle. The players have to step up and that's the bottom line. The players don't want to be in that position again, and Sean Dyche and his staff are going to have to push the players on to get some wins. A couple of wins keeps everything in check, a couple more losses and there's going to be big problems at Everton.”