Everton host a red hot West Ham side at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon. Everton themselves got back to winning ways during the week after beating lowly Aston Villa 3-1 at Villa Park. West Ham also had a big win during the week, a 1-0 win over an in form Spurs team to keep the pressure on Man City for an unlikely top 4 finish. After the week Everton have had, which included a new investor, a win midweek, the Toffees will look to end the week on a high note, and with West Ham currently occupying the last European spot in 6th, they know anything but 3pts would effectively end their chances of salvaging a Europa spot. West Ham have enjoyed a very successful first season under Slaven Bilic, recording some big wins this season, and as a result they will be looking at getting the 3pts to try and squeeze into the top 4.
Everton Team News:
Everton have no new concerns after the Villa win, although there is bad news with left back Leighton Baines needing to see a specialist about his troublesome ankle, and could be sidelined for a while. Deputy left back Bryan Oviedo is also a doubt after picking up a knock. Tom Cleverley is also a doubt as he struggles with an illness. Midfielder Mo Besic could be set to return from his hamstring injury and Darron Gibson could also be back from a knock. The only long term absentees for Everton are right backs Tony Hibbert and Tyias Browning, who both have long term knee injuries.
Possible Starting XI: Robles, Galloway, Coleman, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Barry, McCarthy, Barkley, Mirallas, Lennon, Lukaku
Player to watch: Romelu Lukaku
The big Belgian added to his impressive goal tally during the week, notching up his 17th league goal of the season against Villa, which means he sits 2 goals behind Jamie Vardy for the golden boot. Lukaku has a very good record for Everton against West Ham, the striker has netted in all 7 appearances he has made for Everton against West Ham, including the equaliser at Upton Park earlier this season. With West Ham having a mini-injury crisis at the back, and the form he is in, Lukaku will surely fancy himself to add to his goal tally.
West Ham Team News:
West Ham did suffer one casualty from the win over Spurs. Center back James Collins suffered a hamstring injury which will see him sidelined for at least a month. With Collins out, it leaves a large hole in the middle of defence considering defenders Winston Reid (hamstring), O’Brien (hamstring), Tomkins (calf) and Jenkinson (knee) already on the sidelines. Additionally the Hammers will be without attacker Victor Moses (muscular injury) and Enner Valencia (ankle).
Possible Starting XI: Adrian, Kouyate, Oxford, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Obiang, Noble, Antonio, Lanzini, Payet, Emenike
Player to watch: Dimitri Payet
It was a toss up between Payet and Antonio, who seems to be scoring for fun now, but the playmaker is the mastermind behind all of West Ham’s attacks and one of the reasons behind West Ham’s success this season. The former Marseille man joined in the summer, and adapted to the English game with ease, wit a number of impressive performances. He did miss a couple months of the season due to an ankle injury, which was suffered against Everton, and West Ham did struggle during that period, but since returning, he has resumed where he left off and as a result West Ham’s results have picked up. Everton will need to vigilant to the Frenchman because if you give him too much space, he has shown the ability the he can finish or set up one of his team mates.
Match Facts & Stats
1. West Ham has been Everton’s favourite side in the Premier League in terms of results. The Toffees have won 22 games against the Hammers in the Premier League, the most against any side, and the Toffees are currently on a 15 game unbeaten streak against West Ham since they lost 1-0 at Upton Park in April of 2007.
2. Everton have been uncharacteristically poor at home this season, the Toffees have only won 4 games in their last 16 at Goodison, losing 8 of those in the process.
3. Everton are the league’s joint 2nd highest scorers this season with 49 goals in 27 games, although defensively has been a shambles this season allowing the most goals at home throughout the 5 major European leagues.
4. West Ham have picked up 20pts from their last 10 league games, a record only bettered by Spurs, who they beat during the week 1-0.
5. Despite West Ham’s success this season, they have really struggled away from Upton Park with the Hammers having only won once in their last 9 away games, which came at Bournemouth.
Match Prediction:
Everton really need to address their home form, and hopefully with the news of a new investor on board, it will create a good atmosphere at the ground, something that has been missing this season. West Ham themselves have been poor away from home, but they have picked up some very impressive away wins, including at Arsenal and Liverpool, and will look to add Everton to that list. It sets up to be a very intriguing game, you would expect Everton to dominate possession with West Ham looking to counter any chance they get. I would like to hope that the crowd will be behind the team and we can begin to find the form that has made Goodison a very tough place for opponents, but with West Ham in red hot form, I think it might end in a 1-1 draw. COYB!!!!!! LETS TURN AROUND THIS HOME FORM AND IT STARTS NOW!!!
Next Fixtures:
Everton turn their attentions to the FA Cup as they host Chelsea at Goodison Park with a trip to Wembley on the line.