Everton vs Stoke Everton have been handed a boost by news that Kevin Mirallas (ankle) and James McCarthy (hamstring) are both expected to be fit. Yet the game comes too soon for Leon Osman and Darron Gibson, while Tony Hibbert is another absentee. Stoke are hoping Peter Crouch recovers from the neck injury that forced him off in the defeat to Chelsea. Stephen Ireland is another doubt, a knee injury potentially keeping the midfielder out of Mark Hughes plans. A year ago, fourth-placed Everton were above Chelsea on goal difference and just two behind leaders Liverpool as the Christmas festivities loomed. Theyd lost only once in the league all season; a record only bettered across Europe by the likes of Bayern Munich and Roma. This time around, the Toffees have already tasted defeat on six occasions. Equally surprising is the number of goals they have been conceding. A year ago it was 16 in their first 17 league games, its now 27. They have let in 14 at Goodison Park, the worst defensive home record in the division. Having accumulated their best top-flight points total since winning the title in 1986-87, those who had expected them to kick on are now wondering why thats not happened. Roberto Martinez, without doubt one of the most gifted young managers around, is surely pondering the same question. The most obvious difference has been their Europa League exploits and, though they impressively qualified for the knockout stages, they have lost three of the six games immediately after their European exertions. Key players have also missed a large part of the campaign. The likes of Ross Barkley, Kevin Mirallas, John Stones, Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy have all missed at least a month of the season. Allied to European duty, it has to have had an impact. Stoke, meanwhile, are just two points adrift of where they were a year ago and come into the game in similar disappointing form to their hosts - two wins in their last nine, compared to Evertons two wins in their last eight. While three points would take the Potters above Fridays opponents and potentially into the top half of the table, defeat could suck them towards the relegation zone. It would seem there are plenty of reasons why this should be a fascinating tussle. Head-to-head Stoke have won only one of their last 10 visits to Everton - that was in December 2011 when Robert Huth scored to give the Potters their first win at Goodison Park since 1981. During the Premier League era, the Potters have scored only 10 goals in 12 games against Everton and just three in six matches away matches. Everton won 4-0 in the corresponding fixture last season. Everton Everton have won just one of their last five Premier League games (D1, L3). The Toffees lost two of their first three home matches this season but since then are unbeaten at Goodison Park in the Premier League (W3, D2). Everton are 13 points worse off this season than in the 2013-14 campaign, when they were fourth after 17 games. Roberto Martinez has never been on the losing side as a coach against Stoke (W3, D7). Stoke Stoke have lost four of their last six league games, taking just four points from a possible 18. The Potters have picked up only five points from their last seven Premier League away games (W1, D2, L4). They havent kept a clean sheet in 11 league matches since their 1-0 victory against Newcastle on 29 September. Mark Hughes has won just two of his 16 Premier League games as a coach against his former club Everton (D8, L6).
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 10:05:26 +0000
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