Everton will be looking to start the new year with a bang as they take on Stoke this afternoon. After a torrid first half of the season the blues will be looking to continue the recent tradition of improving after the new year. Stoke come into the game after a relatively surprising defeat at the hands of Fulham on Boxing day. A win would see Everton leapfrog Stoke whilst a win for the hosts today would see them on the brink of the European places
Vital Quotes:Distin
Stoke were really hard to break down when we played them at home but that is every week in the Premier League now. Every team is difficult now. It has been like that for quite a while but I think even more so this season
“It is a big physical test for us,” the in-form Everyone knows what sort of team Stoke are, we know what to expect and we will be ready for it
We have had eight games unbeaten on the road but for me there are too many draws. Yes we have not lost for a while but how many wins have there been?
“How many times have we got the three points? And the answer is not enough. We have to go for wins now.
“That will be the attitude at Stoke, that will be the attitude for the rest of the season and if we work hard then hopefully it will come for us
Stoke Team News:
Robert Huth is suspended today after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Fulham.
Matthew Etherington and Jon Walters are both hopeful of being fit despite respective ankle and shoulder problems
Possible 11: Begovic; Collins, Ab Faye, Shawcross, Wilkinson; Delap, Whitehead, Whelan, Etherington; Fuller, Kitson
Player to watch: Rory Delap
With the leaky nature of Evertons defence of late and with Tony Hibbert possibly starting at centre back Rory Delap will no doubt be rubbing his palms with glee as he warms up his throwing arms as he prepares to shower the Everton penalty area with long throws. Evertons afternoon will be much easier if we can manage these throws properly
Everton Team News:
Anichebe is still serving his ban and is still unavailable this afternoon.
This is Tim Cahill’s last game for the blues before he heads off on international duties.
Jags and Heitinga have recently started light training but face a tough race to be fit in time.
Other than that Moyes has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Possible 11: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Bilyaletdinov, Neville, Arteta, Pienaar; Cahill; Beckford
Although your guess is as good as mine these days.
Player to watch: Pienaar
With Timmy missing for the best part of a month it will be up to players such as Pienaar to step up to the plate its about time Pienaar was more involved going forward.
Match Facts & Stats
Everton have won almost half of the 109 league meetings. They have claimed 53 victories, compared to 27 for Stoke
Stoke have not beaten Everton in any competition since a top-flight home win in December 1982
The Potters have the worst first-half record in the division – leading at half time in only one of their 19 matches and scoring a mere four goals.
Stoke are unbeaten when scoring first this season – winning five times and drawing once
Everton have lost six of their nine Premier League matches on New Year’s Day, winning twice. Their only victory in the last seven matches on 1 January was 2-0 at Middlesbrough in 2008
Everton are unbeaten in their last eight league away matches. This is their longest top-flight run without an away defeat since a 10-match streak from December 1984 to May 1985
Tim Cahill will make his 400th English league appearance. He has scored 106 goals in 399 matches
Match Prediction:
The Britannia is going to be a tough place to come and try and take the whole haul of the points and the way we are playing I cant really see us winning today so will go for a 0-0 bore draw