Everton faces injury setbacks ahead of Dundee pre‑season friendly

Everton will play a pre‑season friendly against Scottish side Dundee at Dens Park on 18 July 2026. Dundee, preparing for the Scottish Premiership start, have recently recorded wins over Airdrie and Annan and will host Everton for only the second meeting since 2015.

Everton’s squad will be without several first‑team players. Midfielder James Garner is sidelined with a groin issue, defender Jarrad Branthwaite is continuing recovery from a hamstring injury, new signing Hayden Hackney is being integrated gradually, and Vitalii Mykolenko is absent for the birth of his second child. Additional absences include World Cup‑campaign players Iliman Ndiaye and Jordan Pickford. Dundee will also be missing a few regulars due to injury. The match is expected to be competitive, with betting odds favouring Everton but offering value for a Dundee upset.