Accrington Stanley will continue their preparations for next season when they take on Everton in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, 15 July.
The hosts have already played one match this summer, a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers, and things won't get any easier when they take on a Premier League outfit.
This match will be Everton's first pre-season match, and they are easing themselves in by facing a team that competes in League Two.
How the bookies view it: No odds available
There are no odds available at present for the match. Once they are released, we will update the preview.
Head to head: A first meeting in 12 years
The last time that these two teams played against each other was in 2013, when they met in a pre-season fixture at the same stadium. On that occasion, Everton performed exceptionally, winning 4-1 when Roberto Martinez was the club's manager. David Moyes would be more than happy with an identical result on Tuesday.
Players to watch: All eyes on the Everton forwards
Everton's group of forwards will look a little different this season after it was confirmed a few weeks ago that Dominic Calvert-Lewin had left the club after the expiration of his contract. The former Barnsley man had been regarded as the club's number one striker for several years, but the time was right for him to move on.
In light of Calvert-Lewin's departure, the club have signed Thierno Barry from Villarreal for £27m. Barry is expected to be the club's leading man next season, but he won't be available for this one, meaning there should be an opportunity for their other forwards to stake their claim.
One man who has excelled under David Moyes is Beto. Once written off by the Everton faithful, Beto silenced some of his critics last season, trebling the goal tally he managed in 2023/24. While he will need more than 9 goals next season to fully convince everyone at the club, he is at least moving in the right direction.
Predicted line-ups
Both teams are anticipated to field as many as possible over the course of the 90 minutes, with both managers desperate to get their respective squads in tip-top shape ahead of the return of league football next month. As mentioned, Everton's new signing, Thierno Barry, won't be available for this match as he is yet to begin training with his new club.
Accrington Stanley: Wright – Love, Rawson, Matthews, Sass – Coyle, Conneely – Henderson, Walton, Whalley – Mooney
Everton: Pickford – Patterson, Keane, Branthwaite, Mykolenko – Gueye, Garner – Ndiaye, Alcaraz, McNeil – Beto
Anything else catch the eye?
Everton may be slightly behind Accrington Stanley in terms of pre-season fitness levels, but they should counter that with superior quality. While England's best goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, shouldn't concede any goals to League Two strikers, he will more than likely only play 45 minutes. Expect the hosts to nick a goal when Pickford isn't on the pitch.
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