Preview: Everton vs. Southampton

Everton host Southampton on Sunday as they look to respond from their surprise 1-0 defeat to Sunderland on Boxing Day.

The setback was Everton's first since the start of October, and manager Roberto Martinez will want to ensure that his side don't fall away at the top of the Premier League table.

Goalkeeper Tim Howard and midfielder Gareth Barry are both missing for the Toffees through suspension.

Southampton won their first match in seven fixtures on Boxing Day when they eased to a 3-0 win at Cardiff City.

Boss Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping that defender Diego Lovren can return to the squad after illness kept him out of the club's visit to Wales.

Recent form

Everton: WWDWWL

Southampton: LLDDLW

Possible starting lineups

Everton: Robles; Coleman, Oviedo, Jagielka, Distin; Mirallas, McCarthy, Osman, Barkley, Pienaar; Lukaku

Southampton: Gazzaniga; Chambers, Shaw, Fonte, Yoshida; Schneiderlin, Rodriguez, Cork, Davis, Lallana; Lambert

Sports Mole says: 2-1