By OkayGoal
David Moyes heads back to somewhere he knows rather well this Wednesday night, with Everton making the trip to Deepdale to face Preston North End in the Carabao Cup second round, a ground where the Scot spent four years learning his trade as a manager before Everton came calling back in 2002.
There is little sentiment involved for Moyes this week though. Everton go into the tie full of confidence after that opening day 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, with Thierno Barry and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on target at Hill Dickinson Stadium, while Preston arrive having lost both their Championship games so far and looking short on confidence themselves.
Everton predicted lineup vs Preston North End
In goal, Mark Travers would be the sensible option to keep Jordan Pickford fresh, though Moyes has previously shown a reluctance to rest his number one lightly.
At the back, there may be room for Nathan Patterson in that right back role. James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite should retain their partnership in the middle. There is a chance Keane comes in, but given its an away game maybe both of these start and then they are given a breather later in the game, And Vitalii Mykolenko continues at left back unless Moyes opts to freshen things up and start young Adam Aznou (if Moyes fancies a look at what he has in reserve) given how busy this run of fixtures is about to become.
Adam Aznou vs Newcastle !🇲🇦🥶🔙
by @Souhailben66 pic.twitter.com/J5n5KkjLBd
— hel_212🇲🇦⭐️⭐️ (@ginolier) August 12, 2026
The bigger question for Evertonians is just how many changes Moyes makes. Everton remain without Christian Nørgaard, James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam, all sidelined through injury, which continues to leave midfield options a little thin on the ground. That should mean another opportunity for Hayden Hackney, while Harrison Armstrong looks nailed on to keep his place after such an assured full debut against Palace.
Further forward, this feels like the perfect night for Tyler Dibling to get his first proper run out after missing the Palace game entirely, with George also pushing for minutes out wide. Beto could be given license to lead the line rather than Barry and then Alcaraz could come in with a bit more freedom in that acctacking midfield role.
Everton predicted lineup vs Preston North End: Mark Travers, Nathan Patterson, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, Vitalii Mykolenko, Hayden Hackney, Harrison Armstrong, Tyler Dibling, Charly Alcaraz, Tyrique George, Beto