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Everton v Atalanta preview: Toffees target first Europa League win

  /  autty

Everton could make a number of changes when they look for their first Europa League win of the season against Atalanta on Thursday.

The Toffees have already been eliminated from the competition after a dismal campaign that has seen them lose three of four matches, and caretaker manager David Unsworth could make changes with one eye on Sunday's Premier League trip to Southampton, live on Sky Sports Premier League.

Everton were beaten 3-0 by Atalanta in the reverse fixture in September and the Serie A side are locked with Lyon on eight points at the top of the group.

Team news

Phil Jagielka and Mason Holgate will join Morgan Schneiderlin and Oumar Niasse in missing the game at Goodison Park.

Jagielka, who played 90 minutes in the 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday, has been given some time off by Unsworth and will return to training later in the week, while Holgate continues to recover from a groin injury.

Schneiderlin, nursing a toe problem, is suspended for this game anyway following his red card in the 3-0 loss at Lyon on November 2.

Niasse is ineligible as he was not included in the Toffees' squad for the group stage.

Opta stats

The Toffees have won just one of their seven meetings with Italian opponents in European competition (D2 L4), beating Fiorentina 2-0 in the 2nd leg of their UEFA Cup last 16 tie before losing out on penalties.

Atalanta have only won one of their 12 away European games in their history (D5 L6), winning 1-0 at Fenerbahce in the 1990-91 UEFA Cup.

A win would secure Atalanta's place in the knockout round - they have not lost so far (W2 D2) and have scored the most goals in Group E (8).

The Toffees have conceded 10 goals in their four Europa League games this season - only Vardar (17) and Austria Vienna (11) have shipped more so far.

Josip Ilicic has had a hand in each of Atalanta's last four Europa League goals (2 goals, 2 assists).

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