MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 21:53:07| >> :60:949:949:
[monks data]
Everton logo
Premier League
Mar 15, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Cardiff City logo

2-1

Deulofeu (59'), Coleman (90')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Cala (68')

Preview: Everton vs. Cardiff City

Sports Mole previews the clash between Everton and relegation-threatened Cardiff City, who are the Premier League's worst travellers, at Goodison Park.

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


ID:144040: cacheID:144040:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5042:
Written by
Joe Fish
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jack Wilshere of England grimaces as he goes to ground during the International Friendly match between England and Denmark at Wembley Stadium on March 5, 2014
Read Next:
Preview: Arsenal vs. Everton
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Bournemouth157352320324
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!