Everton vs Southampton preview

December 28, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Everton vs SouthamptonHaving ended an impressive run of results with a home defeat to Sunderland, Everton are hoping to get back to winning ways as they host Southampton on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Saints finally kick-started their campaign with a 3-0 triumph over Cardiff City, and they arrive at Goodison Park in good spirits.

Roberto Martinez didn’t need a lot of time to prove why he is regarded as one of Premier League’s top managers, having quickly rebuilt the squad at Goodison Park following the departure of David Moyes.

The Toffees needed some time to find the right balance in the side, but once everything fell into place, they soon started climbing the Premier League standings.

And it was their impressive displays in matches against England’s top sides that hinted Everton could even mount a serious top 4 challenge this term.

Back to back triumphs over Fulham and Swansea saw the Toffees come really close to the top of the standings, and even the unexpected defeat to Sunderland on Boxing Day didn’t prove too costly.

However, with Roberto Martinez’s men producing a very good performance even with ten men on the pitch, you should definitely consider backing them to return to winning ways at 1.87 (20/23).

Both Tim Howard and Gareth Barry are suspended, whereas Arouna Kone, Darron Gibson and Gerard Deulofeu are out injured.

Leighton Baines, however, could return to the side, while Ross Barkley is likely to be recalled to the starting line-up.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Joel – Coleman, Jageilka, Distin, Oviedo – McCarthy, Osman – Mirallas, Barkley, Pienaar – Lukaku.

Buoyed by some impressive displays from last season, Southampton enjoyed a bright start to the league campaign, playing some amazing football under Mauricio Pochettino.

This saw Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez join Rickie Lambert as full England internationals, while few other players also attracted attention from top European clubs.

However, Southampton were unable to keep the rich vein of form as a six-match winless run seriously hindered their European hopes.

But, just as everybody started doubting their credentials, the Saints impressed to defeat Cardiff City on the road and are now hoping to continue climbing the standings.

And while we cannot really expect them to beat Everton at Goodison, both teams to score bet should be considered at 1.83 (5/6).

Key defender Dejan Lovren is likely to return from illness, while Nathaniel Clyne and Dani Osvaldo should be back as well. Victor Wanyama and Artur Boruc remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Gazzaniga – Clyne, Lovren, Fonte, Shaw – Davis, Schneiderlin – Ward-Prowse, Lallana, Rodriguez – Lambert.

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