Venue: KC Stadium
Date: 01/01/2015
Kick-off: 15:00 (BST)
It will be a battle of the two strugglers when Hull City welcome Everton to the KC Stadium on New Year’s Day and the match will be one in which both the sides will be desperate for the three points.
Everton’s slump continued last week after they succumbed to their third consecutive defeat after suffering a disappointing 3-2 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
The performance from Everton on the day was decent but they simply did not do enough to claim the victory and the loss has all but quashed the Toffees’ hopes of finishing in Europe this season.
At this rate, Everton will be struggling to challenge for even a top half finish and an unlikely skirmish against relegation could well be on the cards.
Therefore, a victory in their upcoming game against Hull City will be of paramount importance for Everton but it will be anything but straightforward as the Tigers themselves are desperate for the three points.
Everton Team News
Everton manager Roberto Martinez is sweating on the fitness of Phil Jagielka, John Stones and James McCarthy ahead of the clash. The duo of Jagielka and Stones were missing against Newcastle and the Everton backline looked very leaky as a result.
If indeed the duo of Jagielka and Stones do not recover in time for the clash, the veteran duo of Sylvain Distin and Antonlin Alcaraz will be starting at the heart of the backline while Leighton Baines should make a return to the left back position after strangely starting on the wings against Newcastle. Joel Robles and Seamus Coleman will complete the backline for the Toffees.
McCarthy’s involvement in the clash is in doubt after the midfielder was forced off against Newcastle United and if the Irishman misses out, Muhamed Besic should come in midfield alongside Gareth Barry.
Steven Naismith should make a return to the starting lineup following his return from suspension and he should replace the ineffectual Samuel Eto’o while the duo of Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallas will in all likelihood start on the wings.
Arouna Kone impressed during the clash against Newcastle United and he should fend off the challenge of Romelu Lukaku to start in attack.
Teams
Hull City (Probable XI): McGregor; Rosenior, Bruce, Davies, Chester; Brady, Livermore, Meyler, Ramirez; Aluko, Jelavic
Everton (Probable XI): Robles; Baines, Alcaraz, Distin, Coleman; Barry, McCarthy; Barkley, Naismith, Mirallas; Kone
Form
Hull City: D L L W L
Everton: L W L L L
Prediction
While Everton arguably possess the better squad heading into the game against Hull, it is difficult to gauge which team is favourite for the clash.
Both teams are undergoing a terrible run of form and simply cannot seem to buy a win at the moment. With the two teams’ confidence at an all time low, the match should be a cagey affair and although Everton will be viewing the clash as a must win – it will not be straightforward.
The last time these two squared off against each other, the match ended in a 1-1 draw and it will not be a surprise if the clash on Thursday finishes with a similar outcome.
Everton are capable of claiming a victory, given the quality in their squad but with luck having deserted them at the moment, a score draw seems to be the most likely outcome.
Hull City 1-1 Everton
