On Sky
Everton take on West Ham this evening looking to build on a fine,battling performance against Manchester City and start our traditional good run of form heading into the new year. West Ham dragged themselves from the foot of the Premier League after defeating Fulham and a win today would see the hammers out of the relegation zone whereas a win for Everton could take Everton to the brink of the European places.
Vital Quotes: Moyes and Osman
MOYES
‘The Premier League is tight and you only need to get on a bit of a run and you can move yourself up the table.
We’ve got to make sure we’re away from the bottom end of the table because we’re not completley clear of that yet.
But if we win another couple of games then we’ll be talking about trying to compete and get back into the European positions.’
OSMAN
“We have to remember it has been a strange season and while we have not picked up the results we have wanted regularly enough, we are still not that far off the European places points wise. It is still all there to play for and hopefully we can put a real run together in the second half of the season.
We need to start converting chances – that is the first thing. And once we do that, I think we will put a run together and end up nearer the top of the league. I am confident on that.”
West Ham Team News:
Boa Morte is back in contention after serving a suspension
Valon Behrami, Pablo Barrera and Benni McCarthy face fitness tests.
Jack Collison, Manual Da Costa and Thomas Hitzlsperger are all definitely out.
POSSIBLE 11: Green, Ben-Haim, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon, Sears, Behrami, Parker, Obinna, Piquionne, Cole
Player to watch: Scott Parker
He is the heart and soul of the team and if he is on his game he can cause us all kinds of problems. Keeping him quiet today will make our task alot easier this evening
Everton Team News:
Mikel Arteta can be called upon after serving his ban.
Steven Pienaar faces a race to be fit after struggling with a groin injury.
Jagielka and Heitinga are both expected to overcome knocks.
Anichebe is serving a one match ban.
POSSIBLE 11: Howard, Neville, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Osman, Arteta, Rodwell, Pienaar, Cahill, Saha.
Player to watch: Cahill
Lead Everton goalscorer Cahill has been a ever present for us this season and with the hammers backline looking far from watertight hopefully he can extend his good run of form
Match Facts & Stats
The Toffees have won over half (16) of 30 Premier League matches between the two sides. West Ham have recorded only six wins
Everton are unbeaten in their last six league matches against West Ham. Their only defeat in the last nine was a 1-0 loss at Upton Park in April 2007.
West Ham have scored in all but one of nine league games at Upton Park this term, a goalless draw against Blackpool last month
It’s the first time since early October that West Ham have not been bottom of the table at the conclusion of a round of Premier League fixtures
The Toffees have drawn six of their last 10 league fixtures
Despite their erratic form this season, Everton have not been beaten on their travels in seven matches since August
David Moyes’s side have managed only four top-flight wins this season, but have lost only five of their last 29 league matches
Match Prediction:
Everton should be winning here today but how many times have we said this season and been left sharing the spoils. We should have more in the tank having had an extra few days rest. I predict a 2-0 Everton win with Saha and Baines on the scoresheet