Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 19/01/2015
Kick-off: 20:00 (BST)
Everton welcome West Bromwich Albion to Goodison Park on Monday night to contest an all important Premier League clash and it would not be an exaggeration to state that the Toffees will be involved in a relegation dogfight if they slump to another defeat on the night.
The Toffees have shown a bit of resilience in recent times and their draws against Manchester City and West Ham United epitomized this fact.
At the end of the day though, the fact of the matter remains that Everton are still without a win in seven matches and unless the Toffees pick up three points soon, their performances will count for little.
Now Everton are faced with task of squaring off against West Bromwich Albion on Monday night and although on paper the Toffees should be winning such games, it goes without saying that the match will be anything but straightforward – especially with miracle man Tony Pulis now in charge of the Baggies.
Everton Team News
Roberto Martinez will still be without the services of the likes of Leon Osman, Tim Howard, Steven Pienaar and Darron Gibson for the clash against West Bromwich Albion while even James McCarthy has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Therefore, Martinez is unlikely to make too many changes to the side that he put out against Manchester City last week.
Joel Robles will continue in goal while the back four is set to remain unchanged, with John Stones starting alongside Phil Jagielka at the heart of the defence while Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines continue in the full back positions.
McCarthy is not quite fit to start and the impressive Mohamed Besic will partner Gareth Barry in the centre of midfield. There should not be too many changes in the advance positions as well, with Kevin Mirallas, Steven Naismith and Ross Barkley all starting.
Romelu Lukaku has found a new lease of life in recent times and the young striker should start once again on Monday, while Arouna Kone will be waiting on the wings.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Robles; Baines, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman; Barry, Besic; Mirallas, Naismith, Barkley; Lukaku
West Bromwich Albion (Probable XI): Foster; Baird, Lescott, McAuley, Wisdom; Brunt, Morrison, Gardner, Sessegnon; Ideye, Berahino
Form
Everton: L L D D D
West Bromwich Albion: L L D W W
Last Meeting
13/09/2014 West Bromwich Albion 0 – 2 Everton
20/01/2014 West Bromwich Albion 1 – 1 Everton
Prediction
The last time these two sides squared off against each other – Everton managed to claim a regulation 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion. However, a lot has changed since and one can be sure that the match on Monday night will be anything but a straightforward one for the Toffees.
Everton are expected to enjoy most of the possession on the night but the Toffees will know that they will be coming up against a very well organized West Brom side drilled by Tony Pulis and breaking the Baggies down will be a difficult task.
At the back, the likes of Phil Jagielka and John Stones will have to be wary of the threat posed by the in-form Saido Berahino while the likes of Stephane Sessegnon and Brown Ideye are also capable of causing problems.
Both teams are struggling at the wrong end of the table at the moment and the clash looks set to be an exciting scrap, with two sides hoping for the win. By the same token though, the two teams will be cautious not to lose the game as well and the outcome of the clash could well end in a score draw.
Everton 1 – 1 West Bromwich Albion
