Sean Dyche's Everton are set to play Serie A side Roma in a pre-season friendly at Goodison Park on Saturday.

The home side finished 15th in the Premier League last term with 40 points from 38 games, while the visitors ended their 2023-24 Serie A season in sixth place with 63 points from 38 matches.

Match preview

This is Everton's final pre-season game before they begin their 2024-25 Premier League campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion on August 17.

The Toffees' final league position of 15th was perhaps an unfair reflection of their performances across the course of the season considering they were deducted eight points for breaching the division's profit and sustainability rules.

Were it not for the points deductions, Everton would have finished in 12th place, 22 points clear of the relegation zone.

However, it seems that the club are yet to escape their financial woes after news that prospective owners 777 Partners and the Friedkin Group's potential purchase of the club failed to come to fruition.

Last term in the Premier League, Dyche's side scored 40 goals and conceded 51 times, and this made them the division's second-worst offensive but fourth-best defensive team.

Everton come into Saturday's game having won twice, drawn once and lost twice in their five pre-season fixtures, including a 6-0 victory last time out on August 6 against Motherwell.

Although opponents Roma did not have to face the turbulence of a points deduction last season, their campaign was still heavily impacted by the sacking of Jose Mourinho in January.

Mourinho's Conference League triumph with Lupi cemented his legacy with fans at the club, but he was only able to achieve two sixth-placed finishes in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 league seasons despite substantial investment during his tenure.

The current Fenerbahce coach was sacked after back to back losses against Lazio on January 10 and AC Milan on January 14.

Former player and club legend Daniele De Rossi was initially appointed as boss on a temporary basis, but after losing just six times in 27 matches, he was given the job permanently.

Last season, Roma scored 65 times and conceded 46 goals, and these were the division's fourth best and joint eighth best records respectively.

De Rossi's side come into the clash having won two of their five pre-season friendlies, including a 4-0 win last time out on August 6 against Barnsley.

Team News

Dyche has praised newcomer Tim Iroegbunam, commenting on the midfielder's desire to play forward, and he could start on Saturday.

Signings Jake O'Brien and Jesper Lindstrom scored against Preston North End on August 3 and could feature once again this weekend.

As for the visitors, striker Artem Dovbyk could make his first start for the club since signing from Girona on August 2, although he may have to share minutes with fellow striker Tammy Abraham.

Roma have also secured the services of exciting winger Matias Soule, who many believe to be one of Serie A's brightest attacking prospects, and he will likely start against Everton.

Everton possible starting lineup:
Virginia; Young, Tarkowski, O'Brien, Mykolenko; Gueye, Iroegbunam, Harrison; McNeil, Calvert-Lewin, Lindstrom

Roma possible starting lineup:
Ryan; Sangare, Smalling, Ndicka, Angelino; Le Fee, Cristante; Soule, Dybala, El Shaarawy; Dovbyk

We say: Everton 2-2 Roma

Roma have enough attacking firepower to cause problems for Everton's defence and should be confident of creating multiple chances.

However, Everton have been in good form of late, and they should be bolstered by the home crowd at Goodison Park.


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