EPL: Iwobi, Awoniyi, Dennis go to war as Everton, Forest clash

Nigeria midfielder, Alex Iwobi, will battle his compatriots, Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis, as Everton head into today’s encounter with Nottingham Forest as one of only three clubs who are yet to collect a point in the Premier League this season.

Meanwhile, Forest have moved into 10th position in the standings as a result of their victory over West Ham United last weekend.

Having conducted some good business through the signings of Conor Coady and Amadou Onana, Everton fans will be frustrated that key player Anthony Gordon allegedly wants to sign for Chelsea.

Although the Toffees stand to generate a huge fee for the academy graduate, losing Gordon’s energy in the final third is the last thing that they would want on the back of two defeats and remaining without the services of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

With Dele Alli also seemingly heading for the exit door, it could soon be all change in the Everton attack, but Frank Lampard’s side cannot afford to lose focus as they bid to get some points on the board.

While positives could be taken from the performances against Chelsea and Aston Villa, the Merseyside outfit have failed to pose enough threat in the final third on a regular basis.

Even if Lampard has fewer options at his disposal on Saturday, the Englishman and his side are under pressure to deliver a result against opponents who could emerge as rivals as the season progresses.

Ahead of the opening game of the season to Newcastle United, which ended in defeat, Steve Cooper stressed that he planned to add to the wide array of signings that he had already made earlier in the summer.

Dennis, Cheikhou Kouyate and Remo Freuler have since arrived at the City Ground, the trio being potentially different makers when it comes to featuring in a relegation battle or challenging for the mid-table spots.

That said, none of those players were on show as Forest edged out West Ham on Sunday, the decisive goal coming from previous club-record signing Awoniyi.

Although the East Midlands outfit rode their luck against the Hammers, even relying on goalkeeper Dean Henderson to save a penalty, it felt like a result which laid the foundations for more to come in the future.

These two clubs are squaring off for the first time since 1999, Forest prevailing by a 1-0 scoreline at Goodison Park on that occasion.

Everton possible XI: Pickford, Holgate, Coady, Tarkowski, Patterson, Iwobi, Onana, Mykolenko, McNeil, Gordon, Gray.

Nottingham Forest possible XI: Henderson, Worrall, Niakhate, McKenna, Williams, O’Brien, Mangala, Toffolo, Lingard, Awoniyi, Johnson.