Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 24/01/2016
Kick-off: 12:45 (BST)
Match
Everton welcome Swansea City to Goodison Park on Sunday to contest an important encounter and the Toffees will surely be desperate to claim a victory on the day after missing out against Chelsea.
Everton produced a fine display at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea last weekend but despite their efforts, the Toffees came away from the clash with only a single point due to a concession of a late controversial goal.
Manager Roberto Martinez was left very angry that the officials allowed the goal to stand but the Spaniard should also have been unimpressed by how his side defended throughout the match, squandering the lead on numerous occasions.
Now Everton prepare to go up against Swansea City at Goodison Park on Sunday and Martinez will surely be keen on his side to get back to winning ways on the day with a similar attacking display but a much more solid performance at the back.
Everton Team News
Everton are still without the likes of Seamus Coleman, Tony Hibbert and James McCarthy ahead of the clash while Bryan Oviedo and Tom Cleverley are also injury doubts.
As a result, Martinez may not look to make too many changes to the side which nearly beat Chelsea last time out. Tim Howard is certain to start in goal and despite their shaky performance; the trio of Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka and John Stones will start at the back while Ramiro Funes Mori looks likely to replace Oviedo.
Due to the fitness issues of Cleverley and McCarthy, Muhamed Besic will be getting an extended run in the starting lineup and accompanying him at the middle of the park will be the ever consistent Gareth Barry.
Out on the wide positions, Gerard Deulofeu could get the nod to start ahead of Aaron Lennon while Kevin Mirallas is likely to be preferred to Arouna Kone. Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman also provide options for Martinez to choose from.
Despite failing to score, Romelu Lukaku delivered a very good performance against Chelsea and the Belgian will now surely be keen on finding the back of the net this weekend.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Baines, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Stones; Besic, Barry, Deulofeu, Barkley, Mirallas; Lukaku
Swansea City (Probable XI): Fabianski; Taylor, Williams, Fernandez, Naughton; Britton, Cork, Ki, Sigurdsson; Ayew, Routledge
Last Meeting
19/09/2015 Swansea City 0 – 0 Everton
11/04/2015 Swansea City 1 – 1 Everton
Prediction
Everton have failed to beat Swansea City in their last four Premier League encounters but have managed three draws, which indicates that the clash on Sunday should be another closely fought affair.
Everton are the slight favourites heading into Sunday’s clash due to Swansea’s current woes but the Toffees will certainly have to work hard in order to be able to claim the victory.
The match is expected to be a very entertaining affair and if Everton can keep things tight at the back, they should be able to earn the three points on the day.
Everton 2 – 1 Swansea City
