Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium
Date: 15/08/2015
Kick-off: 12:45 (BST)
Everton began their Premier League campaign with a 2-2 draw against Watford last week and it has to be said that given the Toffees poor display on the day, they were fortunate to come out of the clash with a point.
Now Everton prepare for a daunting away trip to the St. Mary’s Stadium to square off against a tough Southampton side and Roberto Martinez’s men will surely have to put in a much improved performance in order to come away with anything from the clash.
Everton Team News
Everton have suffered an early season injury crisis and Martinez is without a host of his key players ahead of the clash.
Tim Howard will be starting in goal for Everton while the trio of John Stones, Seamus Coleman and Phil Jagielka should also be retaining their place in the starting lineup. With Leighton Baines out with a long term injury, Brendon Galloway is likely to be continuing in the left back position.
In midfield the duo of Gareth Barry and James McCarthy look like certain starters while Tom Cleverley should also feature in a slightly advanced role. Ross Barkley impressed against Watford last time out and the midfielder should also take his place in the starting lineup.
Kevin Mirallas and Aiden McGeady are doubts for the clash and there is a possibility that the impressive Arouna Kone could be handed a start on the wide positions.
Romelu Lukaku was fairly quiet during the clash against Watford and he will surely be looking to make more of an impact on Saturday.
Probable Lineups
Southampton (Probable XI): Stekelenburg; Soares, Fonte, Yoshida, Targett; Davis, Wanyama; Tadic, Mane; Long, Pelle
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Stones, Galloway; Cleverley, McCarthy, Barry, Barkley, Kone; Lukaku
Form
Southampton: W W D W D
Everton: W L L D D
Last Meeting
04/04/2015 Everton 1 – 0 Southampton
20/12/2014 Southampton 3 – 0 Everton
Prediction
Koeman’s Southampton will be tough test for Everton
Everton suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Southampton during their last visit to the St. Mary’s Stadium and the Toffees do not look in the best of shapes heading into Saturday’s clash as well.
Southampton look a very good squad once again and have started off their campaign in a positive fashion. As for Everton, injuries as well as speculation regarding their key players have meant that the last few weeks have proven to be a difficult time.
Southampton and Everton do look closely matched on paper heading into Saturday’s clash but the Saints seem to have the momentum as well as home advantage, and they should be able to see off the challenge posed by the away side.
Southampton 2 – 1 Everton
