Everton are slowly climbing the Premier League standings after showing a massive improvement in recent weeks and the Toffees are now looking for their third straight Premiership victory. Stoke, on the other hand, ended the four-match losing run as they beat Blackburn last weekend, and they hope to bring at least one point from Goodison Park.

Everton finally improving

Everton have always been considered a tough opponent for even the strongest Premiership sides, but, on the other hand, they would always find a way to disappoint against those smaller sides. However, that tradition seems to have come to an end this season, as the Toffees have lost all six games to top 6 sides, while winning seven of nine matches against the bottom-table sides. This gives David Moyes’ side reason for optimism before the clash with Stoke, especially as Everton enter this game on a high, following back to back wins over Wolverhampton and Bolton. The Toffees appear to have finally hit the ground running and they should be trusted to beat Stoke, the team that are struggling to cope with the busy schedule. The good news is that several important players are ready to return after recovering from injuries, so everything suggests Everton will record their third win on the trot.

Sylvain Distin and Phil Neville are back in contention, whereas Jack Rodwell is also expected to feature after recovering from a rib problem.

European success

Not even the most optimistic fans would have dared to predict that Stoke would soon be playing European football when Tony Pulis lead the Potters to the Premier League in 2008, but the reality is that a small club from Stoke-on-Trent are now fighting with giants of European football. The Potters have managed to ensure progress from one of the toughest Europa League groups by salvaging one point in midweek match with Dynamo Kiev, but the European exploits have had a detrimental effect on team’s Premiership campaign. Playing two games a week is not something that Stoke players are used to, so nobody is surprised to see the Potters struggle with the hectic schedule. Tony Pulis’ side have already played nine games more than their opponents and that could prove to be a problem when the two sides meet at Goodison Park. There is every chance that Stoke players will be pretty tired after the demanding game against very good Dynamo Kiev side, so I seriously doubt they’ll be able to match in-form Everton.

Peter Crouch, Thomas Sorensen, Glen Whelan and Matthew Etherington return to the starting line-up after being rested in midweek, but Andy Wilkinson is a major doubt.

Verdict

Everton are on top of their game at the moment and they enter the Stoke game in great spirits. The Potters are running on empty following the hectic schedule at the start to the season and I just cannot see them matching Everton at this moment in time.

Our prediction: Home win

Odds: 1.75 (3/4)

Bookmaker: Paddy Power