The Toffees travel to the Britannia Stadium this weekend to face an impressive Stoke City side. Everton will be looking to avenge that memorable 4-3 home defeat to the Potters back in December.
Team news
Roberto Martinez is still waiting to hear whether new £13.5m striker, Oumar Niasse, is available to play. There are also some doubts as to whether prolific Belgian striker, Romelu Lukaku will be able to face Stoke, as he sustained a knock during Wednesday’s clash with Newcastle United.
Everton will also be without John Stones, Mohammed Besic (both hamstring) and Tim Howard (knee).
On the other hand the Blues will be able to welcome back midfielder Kevin Mirallas, who has recovered from a tendon problem.
Last time out
Monday 28th December 2015: Everton 3-4 Stoke City
A Xherdan Shaqiri masterclass gave Stoke the win despite the Toffees leading twice throughout the game.
Romelu Lukaku cancelled out Shaqiri’s opener before the Swiss international restored stoke’s lead with a magnificent lob over Tim Howard’s head to give Stoke the ascendancy going into half time.
After half time, the Belgian striker doubled his and the Toffees tally for the match with a lovely equaliser. Then Spaniard Gerard Deulofeu put Everton in the lead, firing into the roof of the net on 71 minutes. The game looked to be Everton’s from there on in but Stoke had other ideas…
Another Spaniard got on the score sheet, but this time it was Stoke’s Joselu. Once again levelling the scores in such an end-to-end game with a half volley. In injury time brought despair for the Blues as John Stones was adjudged to have brought down Marko Arnautovic inside the area, Arnautovic then converted the resulting spit-kick to send Stoke home with three points.
One to watch: Marko Arnautovic
The Austrian winger will definitely be one of the danger men at the Britannia this Saturday. The man who got on the score-sheet the last time these two sides met will be providing the main attacking threat for the Everton defense. The 6″3 wide-man has made 28 appearances in all competitions this season, recording eight goals in the process.
Will Everton come away from the Britannia on Saturday with three points?
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