League Two side Salford City take on Premier League club Everton at the Peninsula Stadium on Saturday as both teams continue their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2024-25 season.
The hosts have played six pre-season friendlies as they gear up for their sixth consecutive League Two campaign, while the visitors started their build-up with a 3-3 draw against Sligo Rovers last week.
Match preview
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After four promotions in five seasons to reach League Two under the Class of 92 ownership, Salford City's rise up the football leagues has hit a major stumbling block in the past years.
While they pushed for promotion by reaching the playoff places in each of the initial four seasons in League Two, they have only secured a place in the playoffs on one occasion, falling to defeat in the semi-finals in 2022-23.
Salford City had ambitions of going all the way and securing promotion heading into the following season, but instead, they fell down the table and found themselves battling against relegation, ultimately surviving with a nine-point cushion.
Karl Robinson was brought in January to stabilise the situation, and the former Oxford United manager will now be preparing his side for a campaign with an aim to climb back towards the top of the table.
Their pre-season has been a positive one so far, winning three and drawing three of their six friendlies, but their upcoming opponents will certainly provide their toughest challenge yet.
Everton head into this game preparing for yet another season in the top flight of English football after finishing 15th with 40 points last season, 14 points clear of the relegation zone despite also facing an eight-point deduction.
Since placing 10th in 2020-21, the Toffees have found themselves in relegation battles in each of the following three campaigns, but Sean Dyche will be confident they can move further up the table in 2024-25, especially if they can improve their offensive record.
Everton scored just 40 goals in the Premier League last season, only bottom-placed Sheffield United scoring fewer, but their defensive record was outstanding as they conceded 51 times, with only the top three conceding fewer.
Their pre-season preparations began with a less-than-ideal draw against Sligo Rovers, coming from two goals behind in the final 10 minutes with two late goals from Youssef Chermiti to make it 3-3.
The Toffees will play a further four friendly matches against Salford City, Coventry City, Preston North End and Roma before they kick-start their season with a tough home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion.
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A series of positive performances from Salford City in their pre-season matches up to this point could leave Robinson opting to name a similar side to the one that beat Warrington Town last time out.
Marcus Dackers, who returned from his loan at Southend United at the end of the season, scored twice in that game, and is expected to lead the line once again here.
Everton named two different sides in either half of their match with Sligo Rovers, allowing the full squad to get minutes before the start of the new season, and Dyche is expected to do the same in this one.
Amadou Onana will be a noticeable absence from the midfield after joining Aston Villa in the transfer window, leaving Abdoulaye Doucoure, Idrissa Gueye and James Garner as the likely candidates to fill his role.
Salford City possible starting lineup:
Jones; Edwards, Negru, Chester, Garbutt; Lund, Humbles; Chesters, Woodburn, N'Mai; Dackers
Everton possible starting lineup:
Virginia; Coleman, Onyango, Keane, Campbell; Gueye, Doucoure, Metcalfe; McNeil, Maupay, Calvert-Lewin
We say: Salford City 2-4 Everton
Despite last season's struggles in front of goal, Everton had no problems putting three past Sligo Rovers in their last match, and we expect the Toffees to hit the net on multiple occasions in a victory in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
