Everton may be in the driving seat in Group H, but anything but a win over Lille would see the Toffees set for a nervy finish of the group stage campaign.

Les Dogues have now drawn all three Europa League fixtures, and they probably wouldn’t mind the trend continuing at Goodison Park.

Everton didn’t exactly enjoy the start they wanted this season despite reinforcing the squad over the summer, as the Toffees clearly have problems with the busy schedule.

And with important players picking up injuries one after another, Roberto Martinez’s charges have been unable to hit the ground running, but there have been some positives of late.

The Toffees recorded back to back Premier League wins over Aston Villa and Burnley, while producing a decent performance in the weekend’s draw with Swansea.

Everton will now want to return to winning ways and virtually secure their place in the Europa League knockout stages, and they are 1.83 (5/6) to defeat Lille on Thursday.

Veteran defender Sylvain Distin will be recalled to the side as both John Stones and Antolin Alcaraz are out injured, while Romelu Lukaku is also set to return.

Steven Pienaar and Ross Barkley are both expected to start, but Kevin Mirallas, Bryan Oviedo and Arouna Kone miss out through injury.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Howard – Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines – Besic, Barry – Osman, Barkley, Pienaar – Lukaku.

Following several very successful seasons in top flight, Lille are rightly considered one of France’s top sides, although they are not exactly impressing at the moment.

Les Dogues started the season well, even if they failed to make it to Champions League group stages, but they have since suffered a huge dip in form and are winless in last six matches.

Lille slipped to 12th in the league standings having taken just one point from last four games, while they fared a bit better in the European campaign.

Les Dogues drew all three Europa League fixtures and they remain in decent situation to qualify, sitting one and two points behind Wolfsburg and Everton.

But, having failed to win any of their last six away fixtures, Rene Girard’s charges are 5.00 (4/1) to end the barren run against Everton.

The visitors will be without talented midfielder Rony Lopes and Jonathan Delaplace, but Florent Balmont returns from domestic suspension.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Enyeama – Beria, Kjaer, Basa, Souare – Balmont, Mavuba, Gueye – Corchia, Origi, Rodelin.