off time, score and commentary stream

If you're trying to picture what Fritzle, Suttgart's alligator mascot might look like in your head, after Joe's comment, here you go!

Complete with a photo of him with a robot too (of course).

No Bilal El-Khannouss in the squad for Stuttgart after the Moroccan's exploits at the World Cup. He was one of those given a hero's welcome though.

Quite funny really, as the Everton players then run on to absolutely no fanfare whatsoever while the Stuttgart MC conducts some interviews on the pitch.

Some mad scenes here as, 45 minutes before kick-off, we have a wrestling/boxing style introduction for EVERY member of the Stuttgart squad. That starts with the mascot, an alligator called Fritzle, and is currently going through every player getting an individual welcome, with their own announcement, song and firework welcome!

The big story for me from that XI is the move to play Branthwaite and O'Brien together at the back - something I think I am not alone in wanting to see. With Branthwaite and Hackney also starting, that is a good sign for their fitness progress.

I am heartened to see Dibling in the XI too. This week would be a great time for him to find some form.

Is that a 4-3-3 rather than 4-2-3-1 for Everton today with Iroegbunam, Armstrong and Hackney in a midfield trio?

It's nice to see Jake O'Brien in his natural role of centre-back, although that means someone else has to be the square peg in the round hole at right-back and today that's Merlin Rohl.

Also, Jarrad Branthwaite starts to weekends on the trot and we get the chance to see him paired in the heart of defence alongside O'Brien.

The job share between Beto and Thierno Barry continues up front with the pair of them seemingly taking turns to lead the line at the moment.

Hello everyone, Joe Thomas checking in from the press box here at the MHP Arena, a stunning mix of old and new on the banks of the Neckar River. It is sweltering here in southern Germany, where the ground is starting to fill up now. The Everton players are already here, but are not yet warming up. How will they fare against a strong opposition? We'll have all the coverage live from the stadium for you!

While Everton are playing in Stuttgart today, over at Goodison Park, Preston North End will face Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup at 3pm.

The new pitch at Deepdale is still being bedded in so men's senior football returns to the Grand Old Lady for the first time since the Blues defeated Southampton 2-0 in their final match there on May 18 last year.

Here's a sneak peek inside the Everton dressing room in Stuttgart today ahead of the game.

Who will get the nod in the Blues' starting line-up?

Since Hamburg, Christian Norgaard has signed but there is still no new right-back of course, prompting even Prime Minister Andy Burnham to have his say on the matter!

Guten tag everyone and welcome to our live blog for Everton's second pre-season friendly in Germany as they travel to VfB Stuttgart a week on from their 2-1 triumph in Hamburg.

Joe Thomas is back in Germany to take in the action at the MHPArena and we'll have live updates for you throughout the afternoon.

Kick-off in Germany is at 4pm, but in the meantime why not have a read of our exclusive Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall interview to get you in the mood for the game.

He really gets what it means to play for the club doesn't he?

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