Everton vs. Lille: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Europa League Game
Everton host Lille this Thursday in Matchday 4 of the Europa League.
With three games played, Group H is proving to be one of the more competitive groups in the competition. Currently, all four sides are separated by just three points.
The Toffees top the standings on five points, one point ahead of Wolfsburg, two ahead of Lille and three ahead of Krasnodar.
Everton and Lille contested a 0-0 draw in France two weeks ago, which was a first ever meeting between the two clubs.
Here's a look at some factors set to influence a second clash.
Can Everton Rediscover Their Attacking Touch?
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Either side of a 3-1 win over Burnley, Everton have registered two 0-0 draws against Lille and Swansea City—games in which they posed minimal attacking threat.
Against Swansea, the Toffees failed to register a shot on target during the final 74 minutes of the game, while just three chances were created in the game against Lille—the worst creative production under Roberto Martinez.
Thus far, Everton have been ruthlessly clinical rather than consistent in the Europa League, finding the net despite relatively few openings.
Of the 48 teams in the tournament, only eight have registered fewer shots than the Toffees' 29.
Lille boast one of the Europa League's strongest defences and the home side will need far more invention to find a route through.
Can Lille Remember How to Win?
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While Everton have experienced a few issues in attack, Lille's problems have been far more concerning.
The French outfit have not won a game since September, sinking down to 12th place in the Ligue 1 table after an alarming run of just one win in 10 matches.
Even their formidable defence—which went a remarkable 11 straight games without conceding at the end of 2013—have struggled to keep clean sheets.
On paper, this is an ideal time to play the French side, which Everton must capitalise on.
The Battle for Everton's Left Flank
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The major on-field clash in this match will come down Everton's left and will depend upon Lille's overall ambition.
Leighton Baines' creative powers have seen the Toffees favour their left flank for 45 per cent of attacks, the joint-second largest bias of all 48 Europa League teams.
At the same time, Lille's preference is to attack down their right—which will be Everton's left—also using it 45 per cent of the time.
This translates to the Europa League's second largest right-sided bias and the potential for a particularly congested flank.
At home, Everton will attack and push their full-backs forwards as much as possible.
If Lille harbour enough adventure, Sebastien Corchia and Divock Origi will find space behind Baines, though, at the same time, that risks leaving extra room for the Toffees to exploit.
Who Roberto Martinez Uses in Defence
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Finally, Everton go into this match experiencing something of a crisis at centre-back.
Antolin Alcaraz injured his shoulder against Swansea, joining John Stones on the absentee list, thus forcing Gareth Barry to deputise as a makeshift centre-back.
Sylvain Distin played in the first game against Lille, but, other than that, he hasn't been in a matchday squad since September, amid rumours of a fall-out with his manager.
If the Frenchman is recalled to the starting XI, Everton will still field an experienced and dependable partnership in this match.
If not, then it will either be a youngster or a makeshift centre-back who accompanies Phil Jagielka.
Statistics via WhoScored.com.
