Everton vs. Wolfsburg: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Everton will find Wolfsburg a tough challenge in their opening UEFA Europa League clash on Thursday. The Bundesliga club boasts players who can cause the Toffees problems all over the pitch.
Fortunately, manager Roberto Martinez will be able to call on the experience of striker Samuel Eto'o and centre-back Sylvain Distin, whose presence will be vital for an Everton squad keen on making a positive impression in a European tournament.
Before taking a closer look at the game, here's the relevant schedule information, including television and streaming details. All information per ITV.com and WorldSoccerTalk.com.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Date: Thursday, Sept. 18
Time: 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET
TV: ITV4 / Fox Sports 1
Live Stream: ITV Player / Fox Soccer 2Go
Ivica Olic Still Wolfsburg's Danger Man
He may be 35, but Ivica Olic remains Wolfsburg's danger man. The ageing but still effective Croatian forward is a tireless worker in attack, one whose movement can stretch a struggling Everton defence.
Martinez saw his back four keep a rare clean sheet in the recent 2-0 Premier League win away at West Bromwich Albion. However, that rates as an anomaly in a start to the season that has seen Everton leaking goals.
The Toffees conceded two against both Leicester City and Arsenal, while Chelsea put six past Martinez's men. He'll certainly need a sharper performance from those at the back.
It will help to have Distin available. The French veteran's return has been confirmed by FourFourTwo. Distin faces a tricky test against the mobile Olic. He is the focal point of an industrious Wolfsburg forward line also featuring Belgian workhorse Kevin De Bruyne.
Distin and company must stay alert against the Bundesliga side's energy and craft up front.
Midfield Battle Could go Wolfsburg's Way
Usually Martinez can feel confident about his team owning the ball in the middle. Uncompromising duo Gareth Barry and James McCarthy give the Toffees a platform to dominate possession.
However, they could lose the battle against Wolfsburg's power, savvy and athleticism in the middle. Resourceful Brazil international Luiz Gustavo embodies most of those qualities.
He is an expert at shielding a defence and breaking up play with aggressive challenges. The 27-year-old is very settled in the Bundesliga and recently turned down a possible move to Arsenal, per Daily Star reporter Chisanga Malata.
Gustavo won't be easy to pass in deep areas. Meanwhile, Josuha Guilavogui will be a threat to break forward and transition defence to attack. The loping Frenchman is a powerful runner who can stride forward and release runners with clever passing.
Everton are sure to find wresting control away from the Gustavo-Guilavogui partnership a tough ask.
Everton Players Anxious for European Success
Participation in Europe's second competition hasn't dimmed the appetite for success on the continent among Everton's players. Left-back Leighton Baines has signalled the squad's determination to thrive in this tournament, per the Liverpool Echo:
"We’ve got to think big. It’s a long competition but you want to get to the final of every cup competition you’re in and ultimately win them and that’s the aim.
I heard our group described as being like a Champions League group in terms of the calibre of the clubs in it. I don’t know much about the Russian side but Wolfsburg and Lille are teams with those kinds of credentials which you’ve seen play at that level.
"
Baines' optimism has been echoed by Martinez. The Spanish gaffer is eager for his squad to gain the experience to help navigate an eventual Champions League campaign, per Daily Mirror reporter James Nursey:
"I do feel maybe we were not ready for Champions League football, even though we fought hard to get into the top four.
Realistically we need to see how well we can do in the Europa League to see if one day we can get into the Champions League.
I do believe in process and progress and it’s the perfect next step for us to assess the squad and see how we react to playing in the Europa League.
"
After squandering a great chance to finish in the Champions League places last season, Martinez needs to remind fans and pundits that he can take Everton a step forward. A sustained run in the Europa League would certainly help his case.
It would offer proof that progress has been made from last season and that Martinez's squad can actually close the gap on the Premier League's top four.
A win over a solid Wolfsburg team would also be the ideal start to life in a daunting group. Everton won't find Lille, expertly managed by Rene Girard, easy opposition to overcome. They are also likely to struggle with the long trip to Russia to face FC Krasnodar.
Beating Wolfsburg would lay down an early marker of Everton's chances of qualifying and meeting their expectations in this competition.
