Venue: Riverside Stadium
Date: 11/02/2017
Kick-off: 15:00 (BST)
Match
Everton travel to the Riverside Stadium to square off against Middlesbrough on Saturday and the Toffees will be looking to continue their fine run of form with another victory from the encounter.
Everton have been in irresistible form over the past few months or so and the Toffees’ arguably put in their best attacking performance of the season with a brilliant 6-3 triumph over Bournemouth last weekend.
While manager Ronald Koeman would surely have been pleased with his side’s exploits in front of goal, he would probably have been a bit concerned by the defensive performance and the Dutchman will be hopeful that the Everton will be able to put in a solid display both in attack as well as the back against Middlesbrough this weekend.
Everton Team News
Everton switched to a four man backline against Bournemouth and despite conceding thrice last time out, Koeman looks set to persist with the same formation on Saturday.
Joel Robles will start in goal while the defensive lineup should consist of Ashley Williams, Ramiro Funes Mori, Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines.
Morgan Schneiderlin, Gareth Barry and James McCarthy may continue at the middle of the park once again and the attacking midfielders is likely to be the impressive duo of Ademola Lookman and Ross Barkley.
Romelu Lukaku will undoubtedly be leading the line for Everton and one can be sure that the Belgian hotshot will be intent on maintaining his brilliant run in front of goal.
Probable Lineups
Middlesbrough (Probable XI): Valdes; Fabio, Gibson, Bernardo, Chambers; Forshaw, Clayton, De Roon; Traore, Negredo, Ramirez
Everton (Probable XI): Robles; Funes Mori, Williams, Coleman, Baines; Barry, Schneiderlin, McCarthy, Lookman, Barkley; Lukaku
Last Meeting
17/09/2016 Everton 3 – 1 Middlesbrough
01/12/2015 Middlesbrough 0 – 2 Everton
Prediction
Everton have not lost against Middlesbrough since 2007 and they surely head into the clash on Saturday as favourites.
That being said, Middlesbrough are a tough side to play against at the Riverside Stadium and the Toffees will have to be at their brilliant best in attack while also keep things tight at the back to be able to claim the three points.
Middlesbrough 1 – 2 Everton
