Preview: Everton vs. Cardiff City

Cardiff City will be hoping to use their crucial triumph over Fulham as the catalyst for their escape from Premier League relegation, starting at Everton on Saturday.

The Welsh outfit won for only the second time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's management last weekend as captain Steven Caulker scored twice against the Cottagers.

Those three points lifted Cardiff to 18th in the table and further success at Goodison Park could see the Bluebirds climb out of the bottom three for the first time since New Year's Day.

However, the Toffees have only been beaten once on home soil this season and could be boosted by the return to fitness of captain Phil Jagielka, who is battling a hamstring strain.

Both he and Steven Pienaar face late fitness tests, but the England international is expected to be part of a defence which leaked four goals in his absence in the FA Cup quarter-final hammering by Arsenal.

With that trophy now out of their reach, Roberto Martinez's focus will turn to securing European qualification via their league finish, and victory over Cardiff, the division's worst travellers, could see them climb above Manchester United, who host Everton's rivals Liverpool on Sunday, to sixth in the table.

John Stones may make way for Jagielka, while Ross Barkley could retain his place in the starting XI after dazzling in defeat to the Gunners. Lacina Traore and Bryan Oviedo are among those definitely out.

Having chopped and changed for much of his tenure, Solskjaer may stick with the majority of the side who beat Fulham although Ben Turner is a doubt having sustained a knock in stoppage time.

Spaniard Cala is on standby if the defender is unfit and while Craig Bellamy is available again after completing a three-game ban, he is likely to be on the bench unless Cardiff revert to five in midfield.

Recent form

Everton: LWLWLW

Cardiff: WLLLDL

Possible starting lineups

Everton: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Mirallas, McCarthy, Barry, Pienaar; Barkley; Lukaku

Cardiff: Marshall; Fabio, Caulker, Turner, John; Noone, Kim, Medel, Mutch; Campbell, Jones

Sports Mole says: 3-1