Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 19/12/2016
Kick-off: 20:00 (BST)
Everton prepare to square off against fierce rivals Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Monday night and the match promises to be a very entertaining battle.
Following a terrible run of form, Everton finally managed to end their winless streak with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Arsenal at Goodison Park on Tuesday night.
The three points would have been a huge relief for manager Ronald Koeman and his side will now surely be heading into the Merseyside derby against Liverpool with a lot of confidence.
Liverpool have become a very dangerous side this season though and one can be sure that Everton will have to do extremely well in order to be able to claim another upset this weekend.
Everton Team News
Everton remain without the services of long time absentees Muhamed Besic, Yannick Bolasie and Matthew Pennington for the encounter while Phil Jagielka is suspended after getting himself sent off against Arsenal in midweek.
With Jagielka ruled out, Ramiro Funes Mori should come into the lineup to play in central defence alongside Ashley Williams and the full back positions will once again be occupied by Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines.
In the middle of the park, the duo of Gareth Barry and Idrissa Gueye are expected to line up but James McCarthy remains in contention after a solid display against Arsenal.
In the wide areas, Enner Valencia and Aaron Lennon should continue and Romelu Lukaku is certain to be leading the line for the Toffees once again.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Stekelenburg; Baines, Funes Mori, Williams, Coleman; Barry, Barkley, Gueye, Valencia, Lennon; Lukaku
Liverpool (Probable XI): Mignolet; Milner, Lovren, Matip, Clyne; Lallana, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Firmino, Origi, Mane
Last Meeting
20/04/2016 Liverpool 4 – 0 Everton
04/10/2015 Everton 1 – 1 Liverpool
Prediction
The last four Merseyside derbies at Goodison Park have ended in draws and the match on Monday is expected to be another close affair.
Both teams picked up crucial victories in midweek and the two rivals will surely be desperate to get one over each other on Monday as well. Everton and Liverpool do look very closely matched though and a draw might just be the most likely result from the encounter.
Everton 1-1 Liverpool
