Venue: Bet365 Stadium
Date: 01/02/2017
Kick-off: 20:00 (BST)
Match
Everton continued their renaissance with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park a fortnight ago and while the performance was not a pretty one, it has to be said that the Toffees did show a lot of resilience to claim the late triumph.
With the three points claimed on the day, Everton have moved into 7th place in the Premier League table and manager Ronald Koeman will be hopeful that his side can maintain their fine run of form with another good result when they square off against Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium on Wednesday night.
Everton Team News
While the likes of Yannick Bolasie, Muhamed Besic and Dominic Clavert-Lewin remain ruled out due to long term injuries, Everton have been boosted by the return of Idrissa Gueye from the African Cup of Nations.
Joel Robles is expected to continue in goal ahead of Maarten Stekelenburg for the clash following consecutive clean sheets while the defence is once again likely to consist of Ramiro Funes Mori, Ashley Williams and Mason Holgate, with the duo of Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines occupying the wing back areas.
The young and old combination of Tom Davies and Gareth Barry have performed well at the middle of the park for Everton and although they are in contention to start once again, the duo will face competition from the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, James McCarthy and Idrissa Gueye.
Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallas are almost certain to be starting as support in attack to lone striker Romelu Lukaku.
Probable Lineups
Stoke City (Probable XI): Grant; Pieters, Martins Indi, Shawcross, Johnson; Whelan, Adam, Shaqiri, Allen, Arnautovic; Crouch
Everton (Probable XI): Robles; Funes Mori, Williams, Holgate; Coleman, Baines; Davies, Barry, Barkley, Mirallas; Lukaku
Last Meeting
27/08/2016 Everton 1 – 0 Stoke City
06/02/2016 Stoke City 0 – 3 Everton
Prediction
Everton have claimed consecutive victories over Stoke City in the Premier League but that said, the matches between these two sides tend to be very close affairs.
Everton are in better form heading into the clash but Stoke are a solid side at home and all things considered, a score draw might just be the most probable result from the encounter.
Stoke City 1 – 1 Everton
