Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium
Date: 20/12/2014
Kick-off: 15:00 (BST)
Match
European contenders Southampton and Everton lock horns at the St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday afternoon and it will be a crucial clash for the two sides in their hopes of qualifying for a Champions League spot this season.
Everton managed to end their slump recently after claiming an impressive 3-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers on Monday night.
Although there is still a lot of work to do before Everton can get themselves into contention of qualifying for the Champions League, the victory means that the Toffees have managed to keep afloat with the teams above them in the table.
Now Roberto Martinez will be hoping that his side can gain some momentum in the upcoming matches and as a result, the clash against European rivals Southampton will be a crucial one for the Toffees.
Everton Team News
Kevin Mirallas and Leon Osman will be missing for the clash due to ankle injuries but in a huge boost for Roberto Martinez, he will have plenty of options in midfield as the likes Steven Pienaar and Steven Naismith have returned to full fitness.
The duo of James McCarthy and Darron Gibson have been rated as 50:50 by Martinez and could be available as well. John Stones was named on the bench against QPR and he will be hopeful of returning to the starting lineup for Saturday’s clash.
Despite the return of Stones, the backline that started against QPR should remain the same with Leighton Baines, Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka and Seamus Coleman starting ahead of goalkeeper Tim Howard.
If McCarthy is not fit in time for the clash, Muhamed Besic and Gareth Barry should start at the middle of the park, while the attacking positions will probably be occupied by the fantastic trio of Ross Barkley, Samuel Eto’o and Steven Pienaar.
Romelu Lukaku will be leading the line once again and will look to cause the shaky Southampton defence a couple of problems.
Probable Lineups
Southampton(Probable XI): Froster; Bertrand, Yoshida, Fonte, Clyne; Mane, Davis, Alderweireld, Ward-Prowse; Long, Pelle
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Coleman, Distin, Jagielka, Baines; Barkley,Barry, Besic, Pienaar; Eto’o, Lukaku
Form
Southampton: L L L L L
Everton: L D L L W
Last Meeting
2014-04-26 Southampton 2 – 0 Everton
2013-12-29 Everton 2 – 1 Southampton
Prediction
Although Southampton and Everton were the teams touted as outside contenders for a Champions League spot, the duo have been enduring an inconsistent period which has put their hopes in jeopardy.
Southampton are currently going through a horror period and find themselves in a five match losing streak, with their misery compounded by the mid week League Cup exit at the hands of League One side Sheffield United.
Therefore, it goes without saying that Ronald Koeman’s men will be desperate to end their slump when Everton pay a visit to the St. Mary’s Stadium.
Everton are on a slightly better run of form in comparison to the Saints but the Toffees still need to improve on a lot of areas to close the gap on the teams above them.
The match on Saturday is between two struggling teams who are not necessarily bad and given the attacking talent which will be on display, the clash is sure to be an enticing affair.
It will be a close match where a lot of chances will be created but given the fact that the two teams are so tightly matched, a draw seems to be on the cards.
Southampton 1 – 1 Everton
