Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 04/10/2015
Kick-off: 13:30 (BST)
Everton welcome Liverpool to Goodison Park to contest the 225th Merseyside derby on Sunday and the match certainly promises to be an exciting encounter.
Everton continued their fine run after claiming a wonderful 3-2 comeback victory over West Bromwich Albion on Monday night and on the basis of the Toffees’ early season form; they look strong contenders to claim a European finish this season.
While one cannot take away from Everton’s fine start to the campaign, there is still a long way to go before the Merseyside club start dreaming about European football and with arch rival Liverpool to pay a visit this Sunday, one can be sure that Roberto Martinez will not allow his players to take their eyes off the ball.
Everton Team News
Everton have been troubled by a host of injury problems so far this season and Martinez is once again likely to be without many of his key players such as Tom Cleverley, Muhamed Besic, John Stones and Leighton Baines for the clash against Liverpool.
Tim Howard is certain to start in goal but it remains to be seen what sort of backline Martinez elects to go with. With Leighton Baines still out, Brendan Galloway looks set to continue in the left back position while Phil Jagielka will be marshalling the troops from central defence.
Seamus Coleman is likely to be fit in time to replace Tyias Browning in the starting lineup and Ramiro Funes Mori should come in for the injured John Stones.
Gareth Barry and James McCarthy have struck up a great partnership at the middle of the park and the duo will start again. In the attacking positions, Ross Barkley and Steven Naismith are likely to continue and Gerard Deulofeu should be rewarded with another start ahead of Arouna Kone.
Romelu Lukaku was the hero against West Brom and he will surely be hopeful of replicating such a feat against Liverpool as well.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Galloway, Jagielka, Mori, Coleman; Barry, McCarthy; Deulofeu, Barkley, Naismith; Lukaku
Liverpool (Probable XI): Mignolet; Sakho, Skrtel, Can, Moreno, Clyne; Lucas, Milner, Coutinho; Sturridge, Ings
Form
Everton: W L L D W
Liverpool: W W W W W
Last Meeting
07/02/2015 Everton 0 – 0 Liverpool
27/09/2014 Liverpool 1 – 1 Everton
Prediction
Rodgers’ Liverpool will be desperate for the victory against Everton
Everton and Liverpool have played close encounters in recent years and the match on Sunday looks set to be no different.
With Everton on form and Liverpool struggling at the moment, the home side perhaps head into the clash as favourites but it is well known that the form book goes out of the window when these two sides square off against each other.
One thing is for sure though, the match is set to be an enticing affair and Everton may just have enough about them to be able to claim a victory on the day.
Everton 2 – 1 Liverpool
