Everton will line up in their expected 4-4-2, and it’s a shape that suits them. Pickford in goal, a back four of O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite and Mykolenko — that’s a unit that knows each other. Branthwaite’s return to training after that hamstring scare is a huge boost; he’s the ball-playing centre-back who lets Everton step out. In midfield, Dewsbury-Hall pulls the strings, with Hackney and Garner doing the dirty work around him. Ndiaye gives them that spark on the wing, and up top, Beto leads the line with Barry buzzing off him. It’s direct, it’s physical, and it’s built to make life miserable for a back line that hasn’t played a competitive minute together.

Palace will likely set up in their usual 4-2-3-1, with Henderson behind a back four of Canvot, Riad, Richards and Mingueza. Wharton and Kamada sit in the double pivot — that’s a lot of quality on the ball, but it can be bypassed with pace. Sarr and McNeil give them width, and Strand Larsen leads the line, with Mateta — who scored 12 last season from 63 shots — a serious option off the bench. The problem? Palace’s midfield can get overrun when they’re pressed high. Everton’s 4-4-2 will squeeze that double pivot, force errors, and look to spring Ndiaye and Beto in behind. This is a midfield dogfight waiting to happen, and we fancy the home side to win the second balls.