Venue: Liberty Stadium
Date: 19/09/2015
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Match
Everton arguably put in their best performance of the season so far during the 3-1 defeat of Chelsea over the weekend and the such a wonderful display against the Premier League champions can potentially kick start the Toffees’ campaign.
Things are certainly falling into place for Everton and now manager Roberto Martinez will surely be keen on his side to push on from the morale boosting victory over Chelsea.
While Everton are confident at the moment, the upcoming clash will not be an easy one as the Toffees now prepare for an away game against Swansea City and the match promises to be a tough assignment for Martinez’s men.
Everton Team News
Leighton Baines, Tom Cleverley, Darron Gibson, Tony Hibbert and Steven Pienaar are long term absentees for Everton while the duo of Seamus Coleman and Muhamed Besic are also doubtful due to respective hamstring injuries.
In goal, Tim Howard will be the man starting while the backline will consist of Brendan Galloway, John Stones and Phil Jagielka. If Coleman misses out, either Tyias Browning or Ramiro Funes Mori could be handed a start on the right hand side of the defence.
At the middle of the park, the solid duo of James McCarthy and Gareth Barry should be continuing while Ross Barkley will be providing the creative spark. Steven Naismith was the hero for Everton last weekend by scoring a fantastic hattrick from the bench and there is no doubting that the Scotsman will be rewarded with a start this weekend.
Arouna Kone should be deployed as the man supporting the lone striker who will be big Romelu Lukaku.
Probable Lineups
Swansea City (Probable XI): Fabianski; Taylor, Williams, Fernandez, Naughton; Shelvey, Ki, Ayew, Sigurdsson, Montero; Gomis
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Galloway, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman; Barry, Barkley; McCarthy, Naismith, Kone; Lukaku
Form
Swansea City: W D W W L
Everton: L D L W L
Last Meeting
01/04/2015 Swansea City 1 – 1 Everton
01/11/2014 Everton 0 – 0 Swansea City
Prediction
Swansea City have not managed a league victory over Everton in twenty meetings but the record means for little heading into Saturday’s clash.
Swansea have been fantastic at home this season while Everton have not conceded an away goal so far and as a result, the match promises to be a very close affair.
Everton head into the clash in confident mood but Swansea will also be looking to make a point following their shock defeat at the hands of Watford last weekend.
It is almost impossible to pick out a clear winner from the clash and an entertaining draw could well be on the cards.
Swansea City 1 – 1 Everton
