Iliman Ndiaye feels privileged to be a part of the ultimate Everton squad to play at Goodison Park, because the Toffees put together to renew their Premier League marketing campaign at dwelling to Brentford.
Everton will go away Goodison for his or her new 52,000-seater stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock on the finish of the 2024-25 season.
A run of 1 defeat in seven matches (two wins, 4 attracts) has boosted the Toffees’ hopes of surviving the present marketing campaign within the prime flight, and Ndiaye – a pre-season arrival from Marseille – says being a part of membership historical past was a key attraction when he joined.
“Clearly, I wished to be a part of that historical past of taking part in within the last-ever season at Goodison Park,” Ndiaye advised the membership’s web site.
“So many issues have occurred right here, it’s stuffed with historical past and we’re the final gamers to symbolize this membership right here, so it’s vital we give all the pieces we now have.
“Then, the brand new stadium that’s coming, I feel that excites everybody. It’s severely spectacular.
“The gamers who’ve been right here for a very long time and the gamers who’ve simply arrived, I do know we’re all prepared to provide greater than 100% to have the perfect season potential and go into the brand new stadium in a very good place.”
Brentford are six factors away from Everton in eleventh, simply three factors adrift of Manchester Metropolis in third, although all their 16 factors have been gained on dwelling turf.
Sepp van den Berg has performed in 9 of their 11 Premier League video games this time period after arriving from Liverpool, and the defender has heaped reward upon Thomas Frank for making him really feel welcome.
“For me, Brentford was one of many first golf equipment and, in addition to getting the prospect to play within the Premier League and reside in London, it was talking with Thomas Frank,” he mentioned.
“The primary assembly we had, he was asking me some straight questions: ‘Why do you wish to play for Brentford? Why do we’d like you at Brentford?’ It was so direct, it was like a correct job interview!
“In fact, the soccer half must be proper as nicely – and it was. However Thomas simply made me really feel like I used to be actually wished right here.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Everton – Jarrad Branthwaite
Because the begin of final season, Everton have a win share of 35% and have earned 1.3 factors per recreation within the Premier League when Branthwaite begins, in comparison with a 17% win share and 0.8 points-per-game with out him of their beginning XI.
Certainly, the Toffees have misplaced simply one of many final eight league video games during which he has began (5 wins, two attracts). The England worldwide made his first begin since August final trip of their goalless at West Ham, which was an enormous enhance for Dyche.
Brentford – Bryan Mbeumo
Solely Mohamed Salah (14), Erling Haaland (12), Cole Palmer (12) and Bukayo Saka (10) have been instantly concerned in additional Premier League targets this season than Mbeumo (9 – eight targets, one help).
He has, although, performed extra minutes with no aim involvement within the competitors in opposition to Everton than some other facet (528 – 13 photographs, 5 probabilities created). He can be decided to set that document straight at Goodison Park.
MATCH PREDICTION – EVERTON WIN
This match ought to supply an attention-grabbing conflict of kinds. Solely Crystal Palace (0.089) common a decrease xG per shot determine than Everton (0.093) within the Premier League this season, whereas Brentford are the facet with the very best xG per shot in 2024-25 (0.149).
The Bees have seen 44 targets scored throughout their 11 Premier League video games to date this season (22 for, 22 in opposition to), essentially the most of any facet.
Certainly, solely Newcastle United in 1999-00 and Arsenal in 2011-12 have each scored and conceded 20+ targets in fewer video games from the beginning of a marketing campaign within the competitors (10).
Brentford have, nevertheless, misplaced all 5 of their Premier League away video games this season; solely in 1924-25 and 1961-62 (each 9) have they ever misplaced every of their opening six or extra away matches of a league marketing campaign.
Everton have misplaced solely two of their final 10 Premier League video games at Goodison Park (six wins, two attracts), whereas in addition they have three straight wins in opposition to Brentford within the competitors, after failing to win any of their first three in opposition to them (one draw, two defeats).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Everton – 40.5%
Brentford – 32.5%
Draw – 26.9%
