- West Ham United hosts Everton in a game that sees both sides craving a valuable set of three points.
- Both teams could not be separated after a draw in their first clash this season, as Michael Keane and Jarrod Bowen cancelled each other out.
Everton seeks to strengthen their bid for European football as they visit the London Stadium this afternoon.
David Moyes returns to West Ham United for the first time since parting ways with the Hammers in 2024.
The Blues have not played in Europe since 2017, but they will face a stern test from a West Ham side that are battling to preserve their Premier League status.
Ahead of the match, the Everton boss has made two changes from their late defeat against Liverpool.
Thierno Barry replaces Beto up top for Everton
Moyes stated in his press conference that their main talisman, Beto, would be missing today’s encounter after suffering a concussion, meaning Thierno Barry has come in to replace the Guinea-Bissau international.
Barry will start his first game since Everton’s loss against Manchester United in February, and he will look to make the most of his return to the starting XI.
The Frenchman has scored six goals in the league this season, leaving him three behind the tally of his striking colleague, Beto.
Moyes has also called up Michael Keane to replace the injured Jarrad Branthwaite, who will miss the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury.
This will be Keane’s first match since signing a one-year extension with Everton, which keeps him on Merseyside until 2027.
How will Everton set up against West Ham United?
Although Moyes has made a couple of changes from their last outing, his side will likely set up with the same approach.
Dwight McNeil will be grateful that he has kept his starting status after his mistake in the Merseyside Derby handed Liverpool their opening goal.
McNeil partners Iliman Ndiaye as Everton’s wingers that will switch sides throughout the game, and the Toffees will have the same midfield trio of Idrissa Gueye, James Garner, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Keane joins the back four with Jake O’Brien, James Tarkowski, and Vitalii Mykolenko.
Meanwhile, their opponents have fielded the same side for the third successive match, and Tomas Soucek is set to make his 200th Premier League start.
Everton’s last win at the London Stadium came in 2023, and they will hope for a repeat performance as the race for Europe gets ever tighter.
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