EFC Brief

The most intriguing EFC thread here is Marko Arnautovic, the kind of forceful, experienced striker whose name has drifted into Everton conversations over the years. With confirmed lineups in hand, Austria lean on his presence alongside David Alaba, the serial winner whose elite pedigree has long made him a wishful name on Goodison wishlists, and Freiburg defender Philipp Lienhart adding steel at the back. Algeria counter with their own EFC-linked duo. Riyad Mahrez remains the headline act, a former Premier League champion whose left foot still dictates matches, while Houssem Aouar brings creativity through the middle after his switch of international allegiance to the country of his heritage. For Toffees watching the late kickoff, this is a chance to track five loosely Everton-flavoured names in one fixture. Mahrez versus Alaba down that flank is the duel to circle, and Arnautovic's hold-up play could be decisive against Lienhart's positioning.