Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 11/03/2017
Kick-off: 15:00 (BST)
Match
Everton welcome West Bromwich Albion to Goodison Park on Saturday and both teams will undoubtedly be looking to claim a victory from the encounter following disappointing results last weekend.
The Toffees’ unbeaten start to 2017 came to an abrupt end following a 3-2 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane last weekend and despite the close looking score line, Ronald Koeman’s men were comprehensively beaten on the day.
Now it does look like Everton’s hopes of finishing in the top four is all but over but they still will be aiming to secure at least a place in the Europa League and Koeman will be desperate for his side to claim a victory when closest rivals in the table West Bromwich Albion pay a visit to Goodison on Saturday.
Everton Team News
Ronald Koeman went with an extra man in midfield against Tottenham in the form of Gareth Barry last weekend but the move backfired as Everton were not able to cope with the Spurs’ talented lineup.
Now it looks like Koeman will omit Barry to give the more attacking Ademola Lookman a chance to start alongside Ross Barkley in the attacking midfield positions.
The backline should remain unchanged with the likes of Joel Robles, Leighton Baines, Ramiro Funes Mori, Ashley Williams and Seamus Coleman all starting while Tom Davies and Idrissa Gueye look certain to feature at the middle of the park.
Morgan Schneiderlin endured a shocker against Tottenham and he could be replaced by either James McCarthy or Barry on the day.
Romelu Lukaku became Everton’s highest ever Premier League goalscorer against Tottenham with a well taken goal and the Belgian will look to continue his fine run of form in the encounter with his former club West Brom as well.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Robles; Baines, Funes Mori, Williams, Coleman; Davies, McCarthy, Gueye, Barkley, Lookman; Lukaku
West Bromwich Albion (Probable XI): Foster; Nyom, Evans, McAuley, Dawson; Livermore, Chadli, Morrison, Fletcher, Brunt; Rondon
Last Meeting
20/08/2016 West Bromwich Albion 1 – 2 Everton
13/02/2016 Everton 0 – 1 West Bromwich Albion
Prediction
West Brom have remained unbeaten in their last three visits to Goodison Park and one can be sure that Everton will be in for a tough encounter on Saturday.
The two teams are very well matched heading into the encounter but Everton seem to have too much firepower up front and should be able to claim a narrow victory from the clash.
Everton 2 – 1 West Bromwich Albion
