Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 15/12/2014
Kick-off: 20:00 (BST)
Match
Just when it looked like Everton had managed to make a recovery from their poor start to the season, things seem to be back return to square one for the Toffees once again.
Everton currently find themselves in a four match winless streak and if things do not improve soon – their hopes of qualifying for Europe could be shattered before too long, especially with the contenders around them picking up points.
Therefore, Roberto Martinez will need to inspire his side to a good run ahead of the festive period and a victory against Queens Park Rangers at Goodison Park on Monday night will be the bare minimum the fans will be expecting.
QPR are simply woeful away from home and have failed to claim a single point this season. That said, they certainly possess a dangerous side and Everton must be careful to avoid complacency creeping into their game.
Everton Team News
Roberto Martinez handed most of his first team regulars a rest for the midweek Europa League dead rubber against Krasnodar on Thursday night and one can be sure that the Spaniard will reinstate his key players for the clash against QPR.
Gareth Barry will be suspended for the clash but as a boost, James McCarthy should make a return to the starting lineup following his return to full fitness.
The likes of Steven Naismith, Darron Gibson and John Stones are also in contention but will have to go through a late fitness test.
The reliable back five of Tim Howard, Seamus Coleman, Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines should start the clash while Antolin Alcaraz will be hopeful of featuring as well.
In the absence of Barry, either one of Leon Osman or Muhamed Besic will be starting at the heart of the midfield alongside the fit-again McCarthy.
Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley look the most likely attacking options to be deployed in the wide areas for Everton while Samuel Eto’o will once again be used in a playmaker’s role.
Romelu Lukaku endured a disappointing time against Manchester City last time out and the young striker will most certainly be looking to put things right on Monday night.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Coleman, Distin, Jagielka, Baines; Barkley, Osman, McCarthy, Mirallas; Eto’o, Lukaku
QPR (Probable XI): Green; Isla, Dunne, Caulker, Yun; Vargas, Henry, Barton, Fer, Kranjcar; Zamora
Form
Everton: W L D L L
QPR: D L W L W
Last Meeting
04/01/2014 Everton 4 – 0 Queens Park Rangers
13/04/2013 Everton 2 – 0 Queens Park Rangers (FA Cup)
21/10/2012 Queens Park Rangers 1 – 1 Everton
Prediction
Despite their recent poor run of form, Everton should head into the game as favourites. Queens Park Rangers do not travel well while Everton are very strong in front of their own fans.
However, the match is not a foregone conclusion by any stretch of the imagination. Everton are currently low on confidence and conversely, QPR are on a high after seeing off relegation rivals Burnley last time out.
QPR’s defence is not the strongest and it will certainly be a clash where the likes of Lukaku, Eto’o and Mirallas will be hoping grab to themselves a goal.
In midfield, the Hoops possess a host of tough players in the form of Joey Barton, Karl Henry and Leroy Fer, and as a result, the likes of Osman and McCarthy will have an important role to play in order to hand Everton the upper hand at the middle of the park.
Defensively, Everton may not be too concerned as QPR will be missing star striker Charlie Austin for the clash but it is not to say that Jagielka and co. can afford to be complacent.
While it will not be easy, Everton should be able to claim a victory on the night purely due to the quality in their side.
Everton 3-1 Queens Park Rangers
