Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 26/12/2014
Kick-off: 15:00 (BST)
It will be a battle between two struggling teams when Everton square off against Stoke City at Goodison Park on Boxing Day.
Following their brilliant season last year, the Toffees have endured a very difficult campaign this term and they recently succumbed to a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Southampton last time out.
With Everton playing so poorly, their hopes of finishing in one of the European positions is looking increasingly unlikely and Roberto Martinez simply needs his side to bounce back quickly in order to prevent the campaign from turning into a disaster.
Stoke are the visitors next for the Toffees and although the Potters are not playing well themselves, the clash will certainly be a very tough one for the home side.
Martinez admitted that his team has to improve during the upcoming Festive period and the Spaniard will be hoping that his side can kick start their season once again with a good result against Stoke on Friday.
Everton Team News
With his side having putting in a totally inept performance against Southampton last time out, Roberto Martinez may well consider making wholesale changes for the clash on Friday against Stoke.
As a boost, James McCarthy and Darron Gibson could return in time for the match after recovering from their respective injuries while John Stones could also make his first start since injuring his ankle against Manchester United a few months ago.
Stones will probably come in for Sylvain Distin at central defence and despite their poor performance last time out, the trio of Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman should continue in the starting lineup at the back.
McCarthy could come into midfield for Everton but if the Irishman misses out once again, Muhamed Besic will continue at the middle of the park alongside Gareth Barry.
In the attacking positions, it would not be a surprise if Martinez makes a raft of changes and as a result, the likes of Steven Pienaar, Aiden McGeady and Arouna Kone could all be in contention to start.
McGeady may well come into the lineup at the expense of Samuel Eto’o, which means that Ross Barkley could move in more centrally while on the opposite flank, Steven Naismith and Pienaar will be competing for a place from the start.
Romelu Lukaku was woeful during the clash against Southampton last week and the young striker could well be replaced by Arouna Kone against Stoke.
Teams
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Coleman; Barry, Besic; McGeady, Naismith, Barkley; Eto’o, Kone
Stoke City (Probable XI): Begovic, Pieters, Wilson, Shawcross, Bardsley; Cameron, N’Zonzi; Diouf, Bojan, Walters; Crouch
Form
Everton: D L L W L
Stoke City: L L W D L
Prediction
Matches against Stoke City are never easy for any side in the division and Everton should find it no different on Friday – especially due to their current struggles.
Stoke are not playing well themselves but their performance against Chelsea last time out proved that they can compete with even the best teams and the Potters will certainly be heading into the clash at Goodison Park full of belief that they can claim something from the game.
For Everton their attack should do much better and the onus will be on the likes of Ross Barkley, Steven Naismith and Romelu Lukaku/Arouna Kone to put in a much better performance than they did against Southampton.
From a defensive perspective, it is clear that Everton need to improve and the out of sort Jagielka and co. could be in for a tough battle against the physical prowess of Stoke.
The match will most certainly not be an easy one for Everton but they should be able to claim a narrow victory – only if they play to their full potential, though.
Everton 2 – 1 Stoke City
