Everton at Brentford: Match Preview | A final push for Europe
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Iliman Ndiaye of Everton celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 3-0 with his team-mate Idrissa Gueye during the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images) | CameraSport via Getty Images After a long and tedious three-week break (I mean, three weeks at this stage of the season is ridiculous, isn’t it? ), Everton now face a defining fortnight as they attempt to qualify for Europe for the first time in nine years.
First up on Saturday is Brentford, only above the eighth-placed Toffees on goal difference. Eight days later, Liverpool arrive at the Hill Dickinson. A big game at the best of times, but even more so given the faltering Reds are just three points ahead of Everton in fifth, a position now guaranteed to earn qualification for the Champions League.
There is a feel-good factor at Everton not felt since the very early weeks of Farhad Moshiri’s reign. Relegation is not a concern, the finances are looking up and the thumping win over Chelsea – not only one of the performances of the season – was the moment Hill Dickinson Stadium felt like home, teeing the team up for a sprint to the line. The break, although long, did bring further good news.
James Garner won his first two England caps in friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan. Reports emerged suggesting Jack Grealish was in talks over a second loan spell or permanent move to Merseyside. The latest financial results also showed drastically reduced losses (albeit helped by the sale of the women’s team and Goodison Park), increased turnover, and comfortable compliance with our not-so-dear old friend PSR.
Those numbers are only going to improve thanks to the move to the new stadium, and a return to Europe would make things even better. After so many dark years, things are finally looking up, and whatever happens in the next few weeks, they will still be a massive improvement on what Evertonians have endured for most of this decade. So buckle up and enjoy the ride.
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