Everton vs. Lille: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Everton will be looking to preserve their position atop of their Europa League group when they tackle Lille at Goodison Park on Thursday. The two sides last met a fortnight ago in what was an arduous stalemate, but with the onus on the Toffees to attack in front of a packed house, expect a much more open, attacking affair this time 'round.

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The French outfit have yet to get going in European competition having drawn all three of their games to date, but a win on Merseyside would push them above Everton and give them an excellent chance of securing qualification for the next round. But with Roberto Martinez seemingly intent on taking this competition seriously, that’ll be a tough ask for the Ligue 1 outfit.

Either way, this a game both sides will be desperate to win and as such, it’s not one to be missed. Here’s all the information you need on where to catch this one via an online stream or on television, and a look at how both teams are currently faring on the cusp of this vital showdown.

Date: Thursday 6 November

Time: 8:05 p.m. (GMT)/ 3:05 p.m. ET

Live Stream: ITV Player (UK), Fox Sports Go (US)

TV Info: ITV 4 (UK), Fox Sports 1 (US)

Toffees Looking to Continue Fine European Form

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While Everton’s Premier League form has been a little turbulent, in European competition they’re a side that seem to be doing things right. They’ve followed the age-old mantra of “win your home games, draw your away games” up to now, and sitting top of the group with two home games to play in their last three matches the Toffees have a fine chance of making the next phase.

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In their last domestic outing, Everton struggled to break down a determined Swansea City team and toiled to a 0-0 draw, but in recent weeks the signs have been overwhelmingly positive. Players like Ross Barkley, Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy have returned to fitness, and subsequently the Toffees look like a better balanced team.

The latter of the aforementioned trio is a player who plays an understated role for the Merseyside club, but he’s blossoming into one of the most dynamic defensive midfield players in the Premier League. Writer James Corbett recently compared the Irishman to Everton legend Tony Kay, such is his burgeoning influence on this team:

Nonetheless, the defensive side of this team looks to be on the mend after a horrific start to the 2014/15 season, and with that in mind, the onus will be on the team’s creative players to breach this stubborn Lille defence. 

Everton’s attackers will certainly have to be show more ingenuity that they did against Swansea in their last game though, as Bleacher Report’s Matt Cheetham notes here:

Their opponents are a side that given little away in terms of clear-cut opportunities, and in advanced areas they have plenty of players capable of hurting opponents. But you suspect all eyes will be on Belgian sensation Divock Origi as he rocks up on Merseyside for this match; the young forward will join up with Everton’s rivals Liverpool come the end of the current campaign.

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The 19-year-old proved to be a real handful for Martinez’s men in the first game at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, as we can see here:

Even with the vibrant young striker in situ, it’s difficult to see Lille taking all three points back across the English Channel. They’re a team that’s hardworking and cohesive, but in the Europa League they’ve rarely showcased the requisite invention that’ll give this Everton team regular problems throughout the course of the 90 minutes.

The Toffees should play a strong team, dominate possession and subsequently conjure the vast majority of clear goalscoring opportunities. That’s providing, of course, they use the ball much better than they did against Swansea when they find themselves in dangerous areas of the pitch. If they’re wasteful, the French outfit do have the capabilities to pick them off on the counter-attack.

But Everton seem perpetually focused in the Europa League, and with vital players beginning to rediscover their very best form, they’ll be too strong for Lille here. They’ll pick up a vital three points and continue their fine run toward the knockout stages of the competition.

Prediction: Everton 3-1 Lille