The team at Total Sport on BBC Radio Merseyside have made their season predictions for Everton's upcoming 2026-27 campaign.
On the show Carl Woodward, Ian Kennedy, Mike Hughes, Giulia Bould and Phil Munns make predictions for Everton's league finish, the Toffees' top scorer and also a bold claim for the new season.
Listen above or on BBC Sounds here
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Image source, Getty ImagesAs the season opener nears, fans are wrestling with what starting XIs may look like.
Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Everton fan Natalie Bargery has picked her XI for the Crystal Palace fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
She explained: "Jordan Pickford in goal, Merlin Rohl at right-back, Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski at centre-back, Vitalii Mykolenko at left-back.
"Hayden Hackney, Harrison Armstrong and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall a little bit further forward. Iliman Ndiaye and Tyrique George on the wing and Thierno Barry up front."
Bargery described Branthwaite as the "first outfield name on the teamsheet" and added he is in "100%" of Evertonians starting line-ups.
"At left-back, let's go with the more tried and trusted option," she added. "I think [Adam] Aznou is going to develop into a very good left-back but I think it's too much of a risk to start him on Saturday.
"The midfield is changed from what would be our first choice. It does lack a bit of defensive steel and that's probably why I've gone for Mykolenko and Tarkowski as a bit more of a steady choice as I see it. We have looked open in pre-season and that may not change greatly on Saturday with [Christian] Norgaard to come in so it may be a case of just trying to score a few goals."
Bargery said she picked Barry over Beto to start up front after he "did really well" in pre-season.
She added: "There was talk about Barry having a shoulder injury last season and whether that has cleared up for him a bit. I think it's a natural thing for younger players and players coming from abroad to need a season to settle in. He's the one that we need to back. I think you have got to back Barry and start him."
Listen to the full chat below or here on BBC Sounds
Last season: 13th.
This season: 13th.
David Moyes has been silent for most of pre-season - but when he did speak he was hardly talking up Everton's chances when he said "we're far off from where we want to be" and that he would like to do "a lot more business".
Everton have actually done a couple of pieces of smart business in signing last season's Championship player of the year Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough and experienced Denmark midfielder Christian Norgaard from Arsenal.
And they still have the rare talent of Iliman Ndiaye, while Tyler Dibling has had a good pre-season after struggling following his £40m move from Southampton last summer.
However, doubts remain over the right-back position and also whether Beto and Thierno Barry are good enough to be Premier League spearheads.
The early weeks of the season are crucial for Moyes and Everton to appease discontent supporters who felt last season's late collapse wasted an opportunity for European football.
Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician
Image source, Getty ImagesTeams in the bottom half of the Premier League in 2025-26 finished with more points than they had in years, meaning that judging them simply by their position in the table is perhaps a little harsh.
Everton may have been underwhelmed with their 13th-place finish but it was the most points a team in that position had finished with since the Toffees themselves in 1999-2000.
The points of the four places below them were all the highest they have been in the Premier League for 23 years and West Ham can consider themselves unlucky to have gone down with the highest points total for an 18th-placed side since 2010-11.
However, competition has come at a cost.
One place where the Premier League has become less competitive - because it has become more fiercely-contested overall - is at the very bottom.
While it is almost expected for one side to be cut adrift long before the end of the season, nowadays two sides are getting left behind.
The average points tally of the second-bottom side in a 38-game season is 31, meaning teams that finish there have usually competed in a relegation battle for most of the season before ultimately falling short.
After the Premier League was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, only two 19th-placed sides failed to reach 30 points in the first 21 seasons. But in the past decade, seven of the 10 sides to finish in that position have failed to do so.
In the past two seasons, promoted sides Ipswich and Burnley have both finished there with just 22 points - the fewest ever taken by a second-bottom side.
Relegation battles are now mostly a fight to see who takes the final spot in the bottom three, with the other two accounted for long before the final day - often by promoted sides.
But inspired by the survival of Sunderland and Leeds, promoted trio Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City will all be hoping they have what it takes to match the competitiveness of the Premier League this season.
Everton are interested in Como's Senegal winger Assane Diao, 20, who could cost between £50m and £60m. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesDavid Downie from The Blue Room podcast says "it's pretty embarrassing" that Everton will go into the new campaign without a new specialist right-back.
It's the position that has been so widely spoken about all summer, but is yet to be filled permanently, though the Toffees do still have Nathan Patterson in their squad.
Following chief executive Angus Kinnear's exclusive interview with BBC Radio Merseyside, David said: "I think it's pretty embarrassing now, especially when Everton have needed someone for so long in that position. It's really poor.
"I think Kinnear has gone about this [interview] in a really interesting way. He's obviously tried to be as frank and honest as possible, but he's sort of shot himself in the foot by saying Jake O'Brien was fine [in that position].
"That's not going to help fans that are outraged with there being no solution yet."
Fancy testing your football prediction skills? With the new season under way, BBC Sport has just the thing to keep you entertained every week.
After the success of our World Cup Predictor game, we've rebranded it for the club season as Match of the Day Predictor.
It's simple to play - just predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.
And don't worry if you've joined late - players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.
Once you've submitted your predictions, you'll also be able to see what others think the outcome of the match will be.
You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or click here to play
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton will go into the 2026-27 Premier League season without a recognised right-back as the club continue to hold out for their first choice in this summer transfer window.
Speaking exclusively to BBC Radio Merseyside, Everton chief executive Angus Kinnear said: "We won't have a right-back for Crystal Palace, but it's important we have the number-one right-back we wanted when the window closes.
"We're putting things together, but we certainly feel, behind the scenes, that we've got a long way to go and want to do an awful lot more."
The Toffees have been searching for a long-term replacement for Seamus Coleman for over a year. Centre-back Jake O'Brien and midfielders James Garner and Merlin Rohl have all played there during that time, with Nathan Patterson out of favour.
Earlier this month, BBC Radio Merseyside's Giulia Bould reported that Everton sent representatives to watch Celtic's Alastair Johnston, while West Ham's Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been someone David Moyes would like to bring to the Toffees for a while - though a deal has now been agreed for him to join Aston Villa.
Hit play below to hear the full interview with Kinnear or listen on BBC Sounds here
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton chief executive officer Angus Kinnear says they have "remained in contact" with Jack Grealish but need "to respect" that he is a Manchester City player at present.
Grealish, 30, made 22 appearances for Everton last season before an unfortunate foot injury in January ended his season prematurely.
He has since returned to parent club Manchester City, for whom he came on as a half-time substitute in Sunday's Community Shield defeat by Arsenal.
"Jack is a player we've remained in contact with," said Kinnear in an exclusive interview with BBC Radio Merseyside. "It was no secret that he decided to have his rehabilitation done here for the remainder of last season when he didn't have to do that.
"He's a player who's fallen in love with the right shade of blue but ultimately he's a Manchester City player at the moment and we need to respect that.
"The most important thing is he's back. He had a very serious injury, he's worked really hard to get back from that."
Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician
Image source, Getty ImagesLast season, the Premier League was arguably more competitive than it has been for years.
While the 65 points between champions Arsenal and bottom side Wolves was around the average for a 38-game season (63), a real revolution took place in mid-table.
Since the league was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, the gap between the top four and the bottom three – between what has often been the Champions League and the Championship – had been increasing as the seasons went by, with the 'bigger' clubs profiting from their European adventures and the extra money they earned by regularly finishing higher in the table.
But last season, the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' of the Premier League dropped from 44 points in 2024-25 to just 26 points – the smallest distance for 23 years (since 25 points in 2002-03).
The European places were more attainable than they had been for years. Despite taking a point fewer than when they finished seventh the season before, Aston Villa clinched Champions League qualification by finishing two places higher.
While Liverpool took the 'bonus' Champions League place by finishing fifth, their points total of 60 was the lowest by a side finishing there for 19 years and would have put them ninth in 2024-25.
Bournemouth and Sunderland also took full advantage of needing fewer points than normal by qualifying for European competition for the first time ever and for over half a century respectively.
Giulia Bould
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesHull remain interested in Tim Iroegbunam, as his injury is only minor.
The Everton midfielder is also attracting interest from other clubs across Europe, including Italy and Germany. The 23-year-old has also caught the eye of clubs in Turkey.
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton are capable of winning trophies again, says new signing Brennan Johnson.
The winger - signed in a swap deal with Crystal Palace last week - featured in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Lille.
Johnson told BBC Radio Merseyside: "It was really promising. Incredible feeling to play in front of the fans at this stadium. It just makes me excited to play it more.
"I think it was obviously frustrating not to score, but, it was a really good experience trying to see how the lads play. We obviously have got some really good players and hopefully I can get on the end of them coming into the season.
"It's an exciting time to be at Everton. I think the stadium is incredible, the squad is strong and we want to try and build on what the lads did last season and try and get as many points as possible."
Johnson, 25, was criticised in some quarters for his form at Crystal Palace but he says he can look back on the experience as a "learning curve" and with "fond memories" having won the Europa Conference League.
And on looking to targets with Everton, he added: "Ultimately, trophies. I think the club's capable of it. The fan base, the staff, the players.
"It's a massive club and I'm really positive as well in my own playing. I think I've been really fortunate to have some incredible moments in football already.
"I'm really confident that this club can be successful. And I want to be part of that. I'm really hungry to be part of that. And yes, I think that's the overall objective for everyone at the club. I think the fan base deserves it. So, it's down to us as a club to try and deliver that."
Listen on the link below or on BBC Sounds here
Brennan Johnson: 'Incredible feeling'
Image source, Getty ImagesHull City manager Sergej Jakirovic says a deal for Everton midfielder Tim Iroegbunam is in doubt after the 23-year-old picked up an injury.
Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside following the draw with French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice, Jakirovic said: "It's difficult because Tim is injured.
"We agreed everything between Everton and the player, but in the last game he got an abductor [injury].
"It's a minimum of six weeks so I don't know. Maybe, we will take another player because we need players right now. We don't have time.
"We will see, but what I want now is a new player in this position."
Meanwhile, Jakirovic revealed Hull are interested in three right backs, with hope one of them will sign by next weekend.
He also hopes to also acquire an additional option in the striker position.
Everton lead the chase for Liam Delap, 23, with Chelsea having already told the England striker that he can leave the club this summer. (Teamtalk), external
Everton are also keen to sign English midfielder Marcus Tavernier, 27, from Bournemouth before the transfer window shuts. (Football Insider), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton concluded their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against Ligue 1 side Lille at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
Iliman Ndiaye opened the scoring for the Toffees late in the first half from the penalty spot after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was bought down.
However, Lille - managed by former Everton assistant Davide Ancelotti – found an equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time at the end of the second period.
New signing Brennan Johnson featured for the first time, while Jordan Pickford played his first minutes since reaching the World Cup semi-finals with England.
Image source, Getty ImagesThere is ongoing movement at Hull City.
The team at BBC Radio Humberside are across transfers, with Mike White sharing on X, external: "More positive transfer news for Hull City as Joe Gelhardt is at the club today ahead of completing a long-term deal. Understand it's a four-year contract plus one-year option for a fee in the region of £4.5m."
While his colleague at the station James Hoggarth has written, external: "I understand that Hull City have submitted a formal bid in excess of £15m for Everton midfielder Tim Iroegbunam. Sergej Jakirovic told me on Tuesday that he "likes" him as a player."
Both are moves that were mooted by Jakirovic in Tuesday's long chat with Radio Humberside that you can listen to in full on BBC Sounds.
Image source, Getty ImagesThierno Barry says he is looking for "revenge" in the new season.
The 23-year-old forward was unimpressed by his debut Everton campaign, where he scored eight goals in 38 Premier League appearances and was joint-second for goals scored alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
But Barry says he has been training a lot this summer to "play with more confidence" and follow the words of France compatriot Karim Benzema.
"I didn't have a good season so now is like a revenge," Barry said in a video posted by club media, external.
"I want to show to everybody who I am and I'm very excited to start again, first game against Crystal Palace, I want to play this game - I've dreamed about playing this game.
"I've trained a lot this summer to come back and do a good season. After one season, I am little bit more used to the Premier League and how we need to play and how I need to use my body. I trained a lot for that and I'll try to put this in my game and I hope I can do it this season.
"Last season I was more focused on scoring goals and I forget about the performance so I try to play more with confidence. Benzema said 'when you respect the football, it's respect the football gives you back' so I try to play good with my team-mates and if I score it's good and if I can't its easier if you give a good performance."
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton eased past fellow Premier League side Newcastle in a 3-1 pre-season friendly win at Murrayfield Stadium.
After the match, supporter David Downie from The Blue Room podcast shared his thoughts with BBC Radio Merseyside.
"It was much more like it [from Everton] and well-deserved as well," said Downie.
"Tyrique George and Harrison Armstrong looked like they are ready to go right now. I would put them straight in against Crystal Palace right now.
"With Armstrong, it was interesting that he was brought back and then the frustration was bringing him back and not playing him. When he has played in his natural position in central midfield, really good dovetail with [Hayden] Hackney there who was playing a defensive midfield role and [Kiernan] Dewsbury-Hall as well, things looked really solid.
"He just changes the pace to how he would like it to be, lays it off, receives it, always looking for a forward pass. He is the kind of player you look at thinking why hasn't he been playing that position more regularly? And why hasn't he been getting more game time?"
On George, Downie said: "He looks such a natural player and you think why haven't we seen more of this player?
"It's sort of a debate between why hasn't David Moyes played him more? Or why is the player only showing it now?
"He's got bags full of skill, he wants to be on the ball as often as he can and the goal he scored was fantastic. He just looks like someone who is going to cause trouble every single time he gets the ball."
Listen to the full chat below or here on BBC Sounds
It is common practice these days for transfer fees to have performance-based add-ons. The theory is the selling club gains more if the player goes on to be extremely successful, while the buying club is to some extent protected financially if the transfer doesn't work out.
In some cases, the total value of add-ons is significant - Real Madrid could end up paying an extra £30m to Borussia Dortmund for Jude Bellingham depending on how successful he is over the course of his career in the Spanish capital, for example.
In others, like the potential £1.7m worth of add-ons Brighton's £29.78m signing of Greece Under-21 forward Charalampos Kostoulas, are less significant.
Clubs sometimes say add-ons are 'easily achievable' or 'difficult'.
Easier-to-achieve add-ons can include things like making a basic number of appearances, or scoring a certain amount of goals. Add-ons can also be attached to a team's success rather than the individual player's - a club may agree to an add-on requiring an extra payment if they qualify for Europe, for example.
Others can be more ambitious - tied to extreme levels of individual or collective success, like winning the Champions League or the Ballon d'Or.
An example of the difficulty add-ons can present when discussing valuations would be the claims made in the Portuguese media in 2022 that the first additional payment in Darwin Nunez's £64m-plus-add-ons move from Benfica to Liverpool was triggered by the Uruguayan making just 10 appearances.
Then Liverpool boss Arne Slot rejected speculation he had not started Nunez in some games because it would trigger an additional payment.
Whether Liverpool paid more for Nunez, or club captain Virgil van Dijk - for whom they paid a flat fee of £75m to Southampton in 2017 - cannot be determined without knowing exactly what add-ons were included in the Nunez deal, then figuring out which conditions he has and has not met.
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton came out 3-1 winners over Newcastle in an all-Premier League pre-season encounter at Murrayfield Stadium.
Toffees striker Thierno Barry put his side in front on 29 minutes with a precise angled finish into the bottom right-hand corner, before Iliman Ndiaye doubled the lead before half-time from the penalty spot.
Tyrique George put Everton firmly in control with his maiden goal for the club following his summer move from Chelsea.
Newcastle pulled a one back through Harvey Barnes with five minutes to go but it proved to be just a consolation goal for the Magpies in new boss Matthias Jaissle's second match in charge.
James Costello: 'There's no second chances' Audio, 13 minutes
James Costello on what could be a big season for Tyler Dibling
2026/27 season predictions. Audio, 21 minutes
The BBC Merseyside team predict Everton's 26/27 season.
Natalie Bargery Everton XI. Audio, 12 minutes
Natalie Bargery picks her Everton starting team
David Downie: ‘It’s pretty embarrassing now’ Audio, 16 minutes
David Downie on the Everton right-back situation
