Venue: Anfield
Date: 20/04/2016
Kick-off: 20:00 (BST)
Match
Everton prepare for their 225th Merseyside derby against Liverpool on Wednesday night and although the match may mean little in terms of the Premier League, the outcome of the clash will be huge in deciding the fate of Toffees manager Roberto Martinez.
Everton’s winless run in the Premier League stretched to six matches following a 1-1 draw against Southampton and now Martinez is really starting to feel the heat from the fans.
As a result, it would not be an exaggeration to state that the upcoming two games against Liverpool on Wednesday and the FA Cup semi final against Manchester United on Saturday will gauge whether or not Martinez will remain in charge of Everton beyond the summer.
Everton Team News
With the semi final up next, Roberto Martinez would have no problems in resting his key players for a midweek clash but given the fact that the encounter is against rivals Liverpool, the Spaniard currently faces a huge selection dilemma.
The fans will demand Everton to put up a good show against Liverpool no matter what the circumstances and as a result, Martinez might be reluctantly forced to field his strongest possible lineup for the clash.
Joel Robles, Leighton Baines, John Stones and Ramiro Funes Mori look certain to be starting while Bryan Oviedo is likely to fill in at right back in the absence of Seamus Coleman.
In midfield Gareth Barry could be handed a rest and Muhamed Besic is likely to be partnered by James McCarthy. Aaron Lennon remains a doubt which means that Gerard Deulofeu and Arouna Kone is the most likely wide combination.
Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku will be the men leading the attack for Everton on the night and the duo will surely have to do well in order for the Toffees to stand a chance of earning a victory.
Probable Lineups
Liverpool (Probable XI): Mignolet; Clyne, Sakho, Lovren, Flanagan; Milner, Allen, Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana; Origi
Everton (Probable XI): Robles; Baines, Stones, Funes Mori, Oviedo; Besic, McCarthy, Deulofeu, Barkley, Kone; Lukaku
Last Meeting
04/10/2015 Everton 1 – 1 Liverpool
07/02/2015 Everton 0 – 0 Liverpool
Prediction
Recent affairs between Everton and Liverpool have tended to be close encounters, as evidenced by the fact that these two sides have played out six draws in their last seven meetings.
As a result, it would not be a surprise if the clash on Wednesday is a closely fought encounter once again and a number of key battles across the pitch will decide the outcome of the clash.
However, Liverpool are on a high heading into the game while Everton cannot seem to buy a win at the moment and one should suspect that the Reds will come out on top on the night.
Liverpool 2 – 1 Everton
