Andre Gomes and Yerry Mina miss out for Toffees
Saturday 18 August 2018 13:50, UK
Kurt Zouma and Bernard could make their Everton debuts against Southampton at Goodison Park on Saturday, but Yerry Mina will not play.
Defenders Zouma and Mina joined the Toffees on Deadline Day along with Bernard and Andre Gomes.
Zouma and Bernard are in contention to play on Saturday, having missed the 2-2 draw at Wolves last weekend, but Gomes is ruled out with injury and Colombia international Mina is not yet ready.
Either Zouma or Mason Holgate will start at centre-back in place of Phil Jagielka, who is suspended after being sent off against Wolves.
Manager Marco Silva said: "For all of the new players they have to show me that they are ready and better than the others. That is a normal thing in football.
"It is important to show what we want and for the new signings to want to take the position. The way I work I like to have problems to make decisions. We are doing everything to strengthen our squad."
Southampton return to Goodison Park just over three months after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser which left their top-flight status hanging by a thread. They recovered from the 1-1 draw to avoid relegation on the final day of the season.
"It was a difficult one," said manager Mark Hughes, whose side drew 0-0 with Burnley on the opening day.
"The abiding memory for me was the disappointment for the players themselves because they put in such a huge effort to get us over the line,"
"It felt like a harsh blow because of how we performed in the game but the impressive thing for me was how we recovered.
"We could have felt at that moment we weren't going to stay in the Premier League but to a man they used it as motivation."
Zouma and Bernard are available for Everton along with Ademola Lookman and Jonjoe Kenny.
Richarlison is also fit after scoring both goals against Wolves.
Southampton could be without summer signing Mohamed Elyounoussi as he has a hamstring problem and is unlikely to be risked.
Midfielder Stuart Armstrong has shaken off a knock and should be available, while striker Danny Ings could make his first start since his Deadline Day move from Liverpool.
Everton did all right the other day at Wolves with 10 men, they played well. Southampton struggled at home to Burnley, I'll go 1-0 to Everton.
I think it'll be buzzing at Goodison Park: first home game of the season, new signings and a good result at Wolves. It'll depend how many of the new players are involved but if Richarlison is fit, I think Everton will win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Everton are priced at 19/20 with Sky Bet to dispatch Southampton at Goodison Park. The draw stands at a 12/5 chance, while the visitors are 3/1 to snatch all three points. Cenk Tosun is a narrow favourite to register first on the scoresheet at 10/3, while Charlie Austin leads the Saints' side of the market at 4/1.
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