Match Preview
After their warm-weather break in the UAE, Everton return to Premier League action in a televised Saturday night encounter at the Molineux stadium.
The unusual kick-off time of 8 pm on a Saturday night has been attributed to TNT Sports, who have the rights to broadcast 52 Premier League games live this season — including this one.
However, during a few previous matchweeks, they decided not to choose a game for their established 12:30 pm Saturday lunchtime slot, meaning they have some extra games to fit in for the remainder of the campaign.
They likely picked this match as a potential relegation 6-pointer, causing the shift from its original 3 pm kick-off time, but things have moved on since then for both sides, although it still holds the promise of being an entertaining encounter, even for the neutrals.
Everton have already scored an impressive 4-0 win over Wolves this season at home back in December — a very rare emphatic win under Sean Dyche — and will be looking to mobilize their improving Premier League record to secure a second win and complete only this season's second double after Everton's last and very impressive win at Crystal Palace last month.
The return of Nathan Patterson and Youssef Chermiti to the first-team squad after recovering from their injuries has boosted the line-up options for David Moyes going into this game, and his pre-match press conference confirmed that Iliman Ndiaye, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dwight McNeil are still not close to making a comeback:
“The likes of Dwight, Iliman, Dom, are forward players and creative players who we’re needing back. I don’t think any of those three at the moment are really close. Ili is doing much better. He’s not running yet or anything but he’s certainly improving from his injury.
“I don’t see them quite on the horizon yet. The likes of Seamus (Coleman), those boys are back and in and around it, without being match fit or having any minutes under their belt. They’re getting back into training but those other three are still a wee bit away yet.”
Of Armando Broja, Moyes said: “He’s training, he’s joined in a little bit. He’s not fully right yet. I would say after the international break would probably be the right time. There’s an outside chance that maybe he could be fit for next week. At the moment, I can only follow the medical team. If I was guessing, I would probably say it looks more like after the international break.”
Currently, Mangala, Calvert-Lewin, Broja, Ndiaye and McNeil are all unavailable despite progress on some of the injuries involved suggesting they may not be as serious as first thought. But Moyes still has to try to extend The Blues's remarkable unbeaten run in the Premier League without this cadre of attacking players.
That unbeaten run could extend to 8 games when they take on a Wolves side that pulled off a surprise win at Bournemouth to help them escape the clutches of the relegation zone, establishing a 5-point cushion over Leicester City and Ipswich Town. But Wolves have only won once at home this year, beating Aston Villa, but losing to Nottingham Forest, Arsenal and Fulham.
Wolves go into this game just below Everton in the Premier League table but there is a 10-point differential between the teams that Moyes will be keen to at least sustain — if not extend — the remarkable run since the initial defeat to Aston Villa in his first game after returning to Goodison Park.
Meanwhile, for the home side, the most significant loss is that of talisman Matheus Cunha who is suspended after being sent-off for headbutting Milos Kerkez in the FA Cup 5th Round loss to Bournemouth. Mosquera, Kalajdzic, Gonzalez and Chiwone are all out injured, while Gomes, Agbadou and Guedes are rated as doubtful.
Kick-off: 8 pm GMT, Saturday 8 March 2025
Referee: Stuart Attwell.
Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, Natalie Aspinall.
Fourth Official: Tom Bramall.
Video Assistant Referee: Graham Scott.
Assistant VAR: Dan Cook.
Reader Comments (72)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()
2 Posted 06/03/2025 at 12:45:05
I'll sneak back later and make some fixes while you're not looking.
I was trying to count up in my head... just not used to going so long without a miserable, heart-breaking, soul-destroying defeat!
3 Posted 06/03/2025 at 13:25:11
After the discussions of Gana Gueye, yes or no, Jack Harrison and Charly Alcaraz, mixed in with a bit of US politics, it's back to business.
I'm fairly relaxed as it stands, but win this, and we can enjoy the rest of the season and look to climb the table, without worrying about the teams below us.
4 Posted 06/03/2025 at 13:36:05
However, I do worry about the crazy timing of this match. 8pm on a Saturday night in Wolverhampton? What are these TV people thinking?
5 Posted 06/03/2025 at 13:38:10
6 Posted 06/03/2025 at 13:39:13
7 Posted 06/03/2025 at 15:00:49
A win would definitely have us sitting pretty.
8 Posted 06/03/2025 at 15:48:39
They have a fairly good record against us in recent years, that 4-0 apart, so I'm hoping for 3 points but would settle for 1 given it would maintain the status quo but 3 would nicely put pressure on Man Utd, Spurs and West Ham.
9 Posted 06/03/2025 at 23:03:50
10 Posted 07/03/2025 at 02:50:11
11 Posted 07/03/2025 at 07:29:27
It was 1893 and played at Fallowfield.
Joe's memory is sketchy these days given that he's over 130 years old…
12 Posted 07/03/2025 at 08:43:51
I suppose Wolverhampton isn't too bad. For me, a half way house for those travelling down and those who travel from London.
Still a strange kick off time, but I suppose TV rights and money pay the bills and wages, so dictate.
13 Posted 07/03/2025 at 08:59:23
The amount of chances we are now creating is so refreshing. We go to Wolves with the same mindset and gameplan and we'll put this lot to the sword.
14 Posted 07/03/2025 at 09:42:10
15 Posted 07/03/2025 at 09:53:24
16 Posted 07/03/2025 at 10:09:11
Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure told BBC Sport in 2023: "I always love Ramadan... Sometimes playing football has been hard because Ramadan has been in the summer and during pre-season. But I have always been lucky to practise Ramadan and there have never been problems with my physical condition - I am grateful for that,".
Wolves will miss Cunha big time. I think we have a good chance of picking up all three points. It will be interesting to see how Pereira (our nearly manager) sets them up. I am expecting a good game of football.
17 Posted 07/03/2025 at 10:09:32
18 Posted 07/03/2025 at 10:34:45
19 Posted 07/03/2025 at 10:36:43
I think a win at Wolves will take all the pressure off any doubts about us staying up and with some players coming back after the international break we might see us taking further steps to improve our results and performances with a good result at Anfield increasing the screams and outrage from the Red fans especially their mainly armchair supporters who live here!
20 Posted 07/03/2025 at 10:51:45
I remember when Wolves won the cup v Leicester in 1949 and our last game of the season was against Wolves on the Wednesday night after they won the cup and the FA cup was paraded around Goodison Park at half time in that game.
We won 1-0 with an header from Eggo ( Tommy Eglington ) in the Gwladys Street end in the second half.
21 Posted 07/03/2025 at 10:53:38
22 Posted 07/03/2025 at 10:55:53
23 Posted 07/03/2025 at 11:06:10
24 Posted 07/03/2025 at 11:09:18
25 Posted 07/03/2025 at 11:18:23
26 Posted 07/03/2025 at 11:48:06
I suspect when they switched the time on this fixture they anticipated a relegation dogfight, good for the neutrals, but not for the supporters, but when have they ever been a consideration?
Hopefully the warm weather training and bonding will augur well for another 3 points.
27 Posted 07/03/2025 at 12:47:20
It's perm any result from the 3. That's a very stingy price for a draw.
It's tough anywhere as an away side but I fancy us for a win, if not a win a draw.
Cunha missing definitely improves our chances.
28 Posted 07/03/2025 at 13:17:53
Appreciate that's not an easy thing to do but I think it would lift it a bit. Carry on the good work!
29 Posted 07/03/2025 at 13:57:19
30 Posted 07/03/2025 at 14:14:19
31 Posted 07/03/2025 at 14:18:46
"Broja is training. He's joined in a little bit but he's not fully right yet. I'm hoping that maybe after the international break might be the right time. There's an outside chance that maybe he could be fit for next week, maybe, but, at the moment, I can only follow the medical team. If I was guessing, it looks more like after the international break."
Broja has been included in the team's training camp and is nearing a return to action. He has been sidelined since early January due to an ankle injury and could be an option within a couple weeks. Of course, with the form of Beto, Broja will likely remain an option on the bench once available.
32 Posted 07/03/2025 at 14:44:39
I expect us to turn them over, nothing but 3 points here please lads!
33 Posted 07/03/2025 at 14:57:53
With Cuhna missing and a few others as well, I fancy Everton to get behind that Wolves backline. I will stick my neck out and go for a 2-nil lead by half time.
As always so unpredictable, Everton, but I think we have enough in the tank and on the bench this time to see us home with the 3 points.
34 Posted 07/03/2025 at 15:02:55
There's one about 90 minutes away in north Seattle, and I'm going to hop the morning car ferry and spend the day with the Seattle Evertonians, whom I've never met. Can't wait.
Hope they won't ban me for not drinking!
35 Posted 07/03/2025 at 15:06:49
36 Posted 07/03/2025 at 15:31:05
37 Posted 07/03/2025 at 15:54:13
Alan, I do imbibe a bit at home (and more than a bit at Pete Mills' house!) but not when I'm out.
38 Posted 07/03/2025 at 16:01:37
Mark, I missed your point earlier. Of course I wouldn't pick Doucoure over Ndiaye. For starters, Ndiaye has a much more catchy song.
They can play in the same team together though, I just think he would have been worth keeping for a season.
39 Posted 07/03/2025 at 16:09:30
I said Alcaraz, not N'diaye!
UTFT
40 Posted 07/03/2025 at 16:15:55
Book an hotel Mike and go on an all dayer to celebrate another 3 points for the blues!
41 Posted 07/03/2025 at 16:24:46
He may not have started every match, but could have played a part, certainly as the injuries and suspensions kick in. But it looks like he's gone now.
Not one for now, but it's going to be interesting to see who stays, who goes and who we bring in. I just hope we do business quickly.
42 Posted 07/03/2025 at 16:36:58
What???? What's happened??
43 Posted 07/03/2025 at 16:39:19
44 Posted 07/03/2025 at 17:00:18
45 Posted 07/03/2025 at 17:07:10
46 Posted 07/03/2025 at 19:39:15
47 Posted 07/03/2025 at 22:18:36
I was kind of wondering myself, as to when this would materialise.
We are two thirds into the. season now and they havent produced.
This is most uncommon from two attacking wingers.
I could probably understand one… but, Two!
48 Posted 07/03/2025 at 23:54:50
How times have changed.
49 Posted 08/03/2025 at 01:55:23
On my first-ever visit to Goodison in September 1954, Tommy Eglington scored the only goal with a Park End header in a 1-0 win over 'Lucky Arsenal', as my father always called them.
I think it may have been the first home match after promotion from Division 2. In any event, it was a great night for the 9-year-old lad that once was me. He particularly enjoyed the lively abuse hurled at the infamous Alex Forbes when he left the field at the end.
50 Posted 08/03/2025 at 04:09:10
Beto
Harrison Alcaraz Lindstrom
Gueye Garner
Mykolenko Branthwaite Tarkowski O'Brien
Pickford
Subs: Virginia, Young, Patterson, Keane, Doucoure, Chermiti, xxx, yyy, zzz
It would be good if Chermiti got a few minutes today.
Very irritated with the kickoff time – it would be 1:30 am here.
51 Posted 08/03/2025 at 06:29:04
Yippee (except for the 8 pm kick off in UK).
52 Posted 08/03/2025 at 06:41:32
I used to wonder if I was going mad watching the team under Dyche, it would ruin Sundays and I was shattered for the week ahead. Somehow when you win, it's not so bad!
53 Posted 08/03/2025 at 07:21:42
54 Posted 08/03/2025 at 07:30:41
Looking forward to the game and Ajays team sounds about right (although I expect Douc to start). A win would be great. The positivity atm is such a welcome change.
55 Posted 08/03/2025 at 08:15:56
Beto to score a brace for a 2-0 win.
56 Posted 08/03/2025 at 08:21:51
We'd been shite for so long but then a couple of good cup runs and Harper scoring to get us a draw against them, meant we started to look forward to games rather than dread them.
And translate to this season, let's enjoy our trip across the park next month and spoil their party!
57 Posted 08/03/2025 at 09:50:44
58 Posted 08/03/2025 at 09:56:11
59 Posted 08/03/2025 at 10:08:01
60 Posted 08/03/2025 at 10:39:35
61 Posted 08/03/2025 at 10:46:06
So no complacency from our lads and keep the unbeaten run going.
62 Posted 08/03/2025 at 11:06:37
Although inexperienced, with surely the best to come, I'm a little surprised Tim Iroegbunam seems to not rate a mention in those listed as potentially able to stake a claim in a future first choice eleven, especially as the unfortunate Orel Mangala is apparently still being touted for a ‘return' at some point.
I am assuming that Tim is one factor in why Doucoure seems to be out of the long term plans. Doucoure should get plenty of chances to showcase his appetite for being involved in order to attract a few clubs.
Icing on cake today would be some end product from both ‘wingers' and a lovely little cameo from Chermiti to signal his potential will be fulfilled from this point on.
Up the fearless Toffees!
63 Posted 08/03/2025 at 11:08:08
64 Posted 08/03/2025 at 11:36:46
There would be more chance of Gueye doing that than a fast break tonight! Let's hope I'm wrong! COYB!
65 Posted 08/03/2025 at 11:38:24
Will he take it though?
66 Posted 08/03/2025 at 11:46:21
Going there as a 10-year-old, it was just that we had won my first (and only) visit to Wembley that I remember, sorry for getting the identity of the opposing team wrong.
Happy memories of us winning, that's what I had kept.
67 Posted 08/03/2025 at 12:15:54
I mean we could try but I can't see it working out...
68 Posted 08/03/2025 at 12:16:39
Alex Forbes was the Scottish international left half known as a very robust player or a dirty so and so, later on in life he was prosecuted for a sexual offence against a young lad.
69 Posted 08/03/2025 at 12:21:48
70 Posted 08/03/2025 at 12:27:13
We may opt to go for £100k a week for him. More than we want but he'll do for 2 seasons and save us buying someone new for 2 years.
71 Posted 08/03/2025 at 13:01:48
Christine, my son lives in NZ. He is a blue and has his sons kitted out too. He isn't as hardcore as I am.
Moyes doesnt have an awful lot of choice, thanks to the injury list.
Even with them lot back its hardly a hardy squad, and still not much choice options wise other than Ndiaye.
IMO Doucoure did vast damage to us in the Man U match and his stupidity at the end of the Liverpool game wasnt welcome. Even though others have gotten away with it in this two tier refereeing / VAR shitstem.
I hope he was fined 2 weeks wages for each transgression and the money goes somewhere useful.
I don't want him back in the side against Wolves. Whilst some of our players are prone to mistakes and idiocy, Doucoure is head of the class there.
If we are not 'exorcising(sic) him with the 1yr extension then start games without him.
Wolves will miss Cunha but we must not get focused on that. Play as if his replacement is better. Be mind focused and sharp.
Hopefully our goal hero will slot a couple home to defy his agitators.
Jimmy G and IG need to look like a pair this evening. Lindy and Jack. Well they are as is and might surprise.
Tarks needs to get his head on.
Myk needs to . miracle required.
The others just need to be average or better to bring home the win.
COYB !!!!
72 Posted 08/03/2025 at 14:43:45
He was an expensive signing by Silva but it's arguable if he has done a good job.
He will, however be remembered for that awesome strike against Bournemouth which kept us up.
Hopefully Beto will be better focused today if he gets similar opportunities that he had in the Bees game.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
How to get rid of these ads and support TW


1 Posted 06/03/2025 at 11:59:06
However, I have just a couple of (small) errors to point out. Seamus is also out injured.
Also, we are already 7 games unbeaten in the Premier League. Wolves would be number 8 :) Let's hope so! COYB!