🏏 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:00 BST
Brentford FC
vs
Everton
4-2-3-1 vs 4-2-3-1
Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- Brentford (7th, 46 points) and Everton (8th, 46 points) meet level on points in a crucial clash. With just a two-point gap to Chelsea in 6th, this is a direct battle for European qualification — the winner could leapfrog into contention.
- In the reverse fixture (Matchday 20), Brentford romped to a 4-2 away win. Everton will be hungry for revenge, while Brentford are looking to complete the league double.
- Both sides line up in a 4-2-3-1 mirror formation, making the midfield duel pivotal. The battle between Brentford's Jensen and Yarmoliuk against Everton's Garner and Gueye for control of the centre could decide the outcome.
- Brentford's recent form has stuttered — just one win in their last five (W1 D3 L1). Everton, by contrast, have won three of their last five and carry strong momentum into this fixture.
- Brentford's lone striker Igor Thiago, a Premier League Player of the Month winner, has been in sensational form this season. Standing at 191cm, the Brazilian's hold-up play and finishing will put him in direct aerial combat with Everton's centre-back pairing of Branthwaite and Tarkowski.
- Everton captain Tarkowski faces his former club, having played for Brentford earlier in his career before moving on to Burnley and then Everton. All eyes will be on the veteran centre-back's performance on his return to his old stomping ground.
- Everton's attacking linchpin Iliman Ndiaye operates in the number 10 role, using his close control and sharp turns to unlock tight spaces. Brentford's centre-backs Collins and Van den Berg will need to limit his room to operate.
- The wide battles will be equally fascinating. Brentford's Dango Ouattara possesses blistering pace and a lethal left foot, and his one-on-one duels with Mykolenko could prove decisive. On the opposite flank, Dwight McNeil's pinpoint left-foot crosses into Kayode's area will be another key contest.
- Everton have 19-year-old Tyler Dibling on the bench, signed for a club-record fee. The young winger's trademark left-footed cut-ins make him a potent impact substitute who could change the complexion of the game.