Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 01/11/2014
Kick-off: 15:00 (BST)
Match
Everton will be looking to continue their recent run of good form when they host Swansea City at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The Toffees’ were professional against Burnley last week and the victory has lifted them into the top half of the Premier League table. With things very closely packed, Everton will now certainly have the belief that they can occupy one of the European places before too long – if they can maintain their recent purple patch.
However, it will be easier said than done as up next for the Toffees is a difficult clash against high flying Swansea City.
The match looks set to be an enticing affair between two sides who play probably the most attractive football in the Premier League and there will be an added sub-plot as well, when the Master Roberto Martinez squares up to his apprentice and trusted ally Garry Monk.
Everton Team News
Roberto Martinez does have a couple of injuries to key men to contend with heading into the clash. Kevin Mirallas and John Stones remain sidelined with long term injuries while the trio of Arouna Kone, Darron Gibson and Bryan Oviedo are all struggling with knocks.
As a result, there should not be too many changes to the side that started against Burnley last week. Tim Howard will start in goal and the American international will be shielded by a defensive line consisting of Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Antolin Alcaraz and Seamus Coleman.
The ever so solid duo of James McCarthy and Gareth Barry will be the combination in midfield while the wide positions should be occupied by Steven Naismith and Steven Pienaar.
However, it remains to be seen what sort of lineup Martinez goes with in attack. Samuel Eto’o started at the expense of Ross Barkley against Burnley and the veteran striker put in a wonderful performance on the day.
As a result, there will be a temptation for Martinez to stick with Eto’o and Romelu Lukaku up front. That being said, Barkley will also be a good option for Everton as he would be very effective in combating Swansea’s possession styled football.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Baines, Alcaraz, Jagielka, Coleman; Pienaar, Barry, McCarthy, Naismith; Lukaku, Eto’o
Swansea City (Probable XI): Fabianski; Rangel, Williams, Fernandez, Taylor; Routledge, Ki , Sigurdsson, Shelvey, Dyer; Bony
Form
Everton: D L W D W
Swansea City: D D L W L
Last Meeting
24/09/2014 Swansea City 3 – 0 Everton (League Cup)
22/03/2014 Swansea City 0 – 2 Everton
Prediction
Everton and Swansea City are probably the most watchable teams in the Premier League and as a result, the clash between the two sides should be aesthetically pleasing.
However, with two big burly strikers in Romelu Lukaku and Wilfried Bony present in their respective sides, the clash should be a fiercely fought battle as well.
In terms of form, both sides have been a bit shaky and the match should be a tight affair as the two look very closely matched in terms of squad strength.
With Everton being the home side, they are expected to have the lion share of possession but Swansea City are no slouches with the ball themselves and the Toffees will certainly have to use a high pressing game in order to avoid allowing the away side being too comfortable.
As there is very little separating the two sides, the match will probably be decided by how proficient either team is in the final third. Everton boast a strike force of Lukaku, Eto’o and Naismith while Swansea also possess a lot of firepower up front in Bony, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Nathan Dyer.
The key for Everton on the day will be stopping Sigurdsson from playing his natural game as Swansea’s style is built around the Icelandic superstar. From a defensive point of view, the duo of Alcaraz and Jagielka will certainly have their hands full in dealing with the threat posed by Bony.
The match is all set to be a wonderful visual feast and although it will be close, Everton may just about edge it in front of their own fans.
Everton 2 – 1 Swansea City
