There may be less than a five-minute drive between Everton and Liverpool, but they are miles apart in terms of pressure on their managers.

The job belonging to Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is under scrutiny after his side's unconvincing start to the season, while Roberto Martinez hosts this Sunday's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on the back of a four-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Everton

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There have not been many times when Everton have been deemed favourites to win a Merseyside derby, but they have been given that expectation ahead of this weekend's clash.

Last season was a disastrous campaign by the Toffees' standards as they finished 11th in the table, 15 points adrift of a European spot.

It is a big contrast this season as Martinez has managed to inject that free-flowing football that made him an instant hit at Goodison Park when he took over from David Moyes in 2013.

Everton have just one blip on their record so far in the top flight - a 2-0 defeat to title challengers Manchester City.

Aside from that, the Toffees have recorded three victories, one of which came against Chelsea, and three draws, with Ross Barkley seemingly finding his zest again, and the midfield partnership of Gareth Barry and James McCarthy looking solid.

Everton have also been boosted by the permanent return of winger Gerard Deulofeu, who is likely to earn more first-team chances after showing his promise in recent games, while Romelu Lukaku heads into this weekend's derby in great form having scored twice in his side's comeback win over West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

There is added incentive for the striker on Sunday as he is only four goals away from becoming the fifth Belgian to score 50 Premier League goals before the age of 23.

Everton's performances have pushed them up to fifth in the table, but they have shown some inconsistency in their last six games as they have scored three goals in as many occasions and not made a single strike in the other three.

A large plus though, which Martinez has admitted himself, is the fact that Everton are not playing in Europe this season. The team struggled to cope with the demands of the playing every Thursday and Sunday, but being able to put all their focus into domestic action is working so far.

Recent form: WLDWLW
Recent form (all competitions): WDWDWW

Liverpool

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Liverpool kicked off the season with Champions League ambitions, but now there are questions over whether or not they will end the season with Brendan Rodgers in charge.

The Northern Irishman has faced criticism for his side picking up 11 points from a possible 21 in the top flight, while the performance of their team, which includes eight new summer arrivals, has been deemed lacklustre at times.

Ever since Liverpool lost Luis Suarez last season and Daniel Sturridge succumbed to injuries, the Reds have struggled to find the same attacking prowess that launched them to a title challenge in the 2013-14 campaign.

In fairness, replacing Suarez is an almost impossible task due to the Uruguayan's quality, but add to the fact that Raheem Sterling and the club's long-serving captain Steven Gerrard left in the summer, Liverpool have struggled to put opponents on the backfoot, and at times, have looked short of ideas.

Just seven goals have been scored by Liverpool in as many league games, and they went five games with just three goals in the bag, but they have been boosted by the return of Sturridge, who scored twice against Aston Villa in only his second game back from five months on the sidelines.

Danny Ings has also shown some promise, having scored two goals in the Reds' last three games in all competitions, but the defence remains shaky as Rodgers has not yet seemed to decide on his best centre-back partnership.

Dejan Lovren began the season partnering Martin Skrtel, but following a few blunders, as well as an injury, the Croatian has had to make way for Mamadou Sakho, who has shown strength but also has the occasional mistake in him.

Injuries have also been a problem for the Reds as they currently have Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and captain Jordan Henderson on the treatment table, which is giving Philippe Coutinho a lot of pressure to carry the team from an attacking standpoint.

Playing away from home has not been particularly beneficial to Liverpool as they have grabbed just one win in their last eight league games on the road, scoring just five goals, but the positive side is that they can return to the top five of the table with a victory at Goodison.

Considering that next week is an international break, the feeling is that if Liverpool cannot earn at least a point over their local rivals, the heat surrounding Rodgers will intensify, particularly with Jurgen Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti being linked to his job.

Recent form: WDLLDW
Recent form (all competitions): LDDDWD

Team News

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Martinez revealed this morning that he will give full-back Seamus Coleman and defender John Stones late fitness tests on the morning of the match.

However, it is likely that Stones, who has had an impressive start to the season despite being the subject of four Chelsea bids in the summer, will return alongside Jagielka, with Coleman joining him in the back four.

Deulofeu could also get a nod to start as he has proven his qualities as a traditional winger, while Lukaku is expected to lead the line, with support from Steven Naismith and Ross Barkley.

At the other end of the pitch, Liverpool are expected to recall Sturridge after he was left out of Thursday's 1-1 draw with Sion in the Europa League, while Benteke could be installed to the bench following three games out with a hamstring injury.

Rodgers is likely to keep to his back three formation of Skrtel, Sakho and Emre Can as opposed to a back four, while Alberto Moreno, who has been keeping young Joe Gomez out of the starting XI, and Nathaniel Clyne will act as wingbacks.

Ings is likely to partner Sturridge up front with Coutinho providing the attacking flare just behind.

Everton possible starting lineup:
Howard; Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Galloway; McCarthy, Barry; Deulofeu, Barkley, Naismith; Lukaku

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Sakho, Skrtel, Can; Moreno, Lucas, Milner, Clyne; Coutinho; Ings, Sturridge

Head To Head

Everton may be the favourites for this encounter, but they have only claimed one victory over their neighbours in 17 top-flight meetings, and have failed to gain a single point in the last nine.

Liverpool have only suffered defeat once in their previous eight visits to Goodison Park in the Premier League, a 2-0 loss in October 2010.

It is traditionally a tight fixture with the last three encounters ending in draws, but it is also one of the most fiery as the Merseyside derby has witnessed the most red cards shown in league history - 20 in total.

Sturridge has also shown that he is in goalscoring form with two against Villa, but he particularly enjoys facing Everton as he has netted five times against the Toffees.

Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:

We say: Everton 2-2 Liverpool

Recent Premier League meetings between these two sides have shown that it is difficult to separate the pair. While Everton look better than Liverpool in the form books, the Reds are expected to get fired up for a local derby. Both sides possess strikers who scored twice in their last league games - Lukaku and Sturridge, which could be a recipe for goals on Sunday. Expect a close encounter with another share of the spoils.

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