Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium
Date: 26/04/2014
Kick-off: 11:45 (BST)
Match
Everton kept their Champions League dream alive with a fantastically professional display against reigning champions Manchester United last week and in the process completed their first league double over the Red Devils in 40 years.
Now it will not be an exaggeration to say that the remaining three games for the Toffees will be cup finals, starting off with a tough Southampton side on Saturday afternoon. Considering that Arsenal seem to have a more favourable end to the season in terms of fixtures, Everton certainly cannot afford any slip ups starting off with Southampton on Saturday.
However, it will be anything but easy against a Southampton side high on confidence and boasting a tremendous record over Everton in the Premier League era.
Southampton have enjoyed a fine campaign and while it is true that the Saints do not have much to play for from now till the end of the season, Everton certainly should not expect an easy ride at the St. Mary’s and will probably have to put in another fine performance similar to one they did against Manchester United last week.
Everton Team News
Roberto Martinez suffered a double setback after news that both Sylvain Distin and Kevin Mirallas could be out for the rest of the season due to injuries, while Phil Jagielka does not seem to have recovered sufficiently in time for the clash on Saturday as well.
Therefore, it looks like Antolin Alcaraz will be filling in at centre back for the Toffees alongside the impressive John Stones, while the sensational duo of Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman will be starting in the full-back position and will be looking to terrorize the Saints defence.
The duo of James McCarthy and Gareth Barry were once again solid as ever in the win against Manchester United and should start retain their place in the lineup. In the absence of Mirallas, Gerard Deulofeu could get the nod to start on the wings while Aiden McGeady also offers an option.
Either Leon Osman or Romelu Lukaku could be deployed on the other flank while Ross Barkley looks set to start in hold behind the lone striker Steven Naismith.
Probable Lineups
Southampton (Probable XI): Boruc; Shaw, Lovren, Fonte, Clyne; Lallana, Cork, Wanyama, Davis, Ward-Prowse; Lambert
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Baines, Alcaraz, Stones, Coleman; Lukaku, McCarthy, Barkley, Barry, Deulofeu; Naismith
Form
Southampton: L W L L D
Everton: W W W L W
Last Meeting
29/12/2013 Everton 2 – 1 Southampton
22/01/2013 Southampton 0 – 0 Everton
Prediction
Everton head into the game with all to play for, while Southampton do not have much to look forward to this season and seem to be stumbling over the finish line.
However, that being said, Southampton can beat any team on their day, due to the attacking flair in the squad and Everton cannot go into the game with complacency on their minds.
Nothing less than a win will do for Everton but they have to be careful not to be too open in their pursuit of a victory as this Southampton side can punish any team on the break.
The attacking style that both Martinez and Pochettino deploy means that the game will be open and free-flowing, which promises a lot of goals.
Considering that Southampton have lost a bit of focus in recent week and that Everton are desperate for a victory as well as on a great run of form, the Toffees should be able to claim all three points from the game.
Southampton 1 – 2 Everton
