Preview: Everton vs. Liverpool

Everton and Liverpool will go head to head for the first Merseyside derby of the season, with just three points between the rivals.

Goodison Park will host the highly anticipated encounter as Toffees manager Roberto Martinez prepares for his Merseyside derby debut this Saturday.

The home side have been in positive form since the Spaniard arrived following the departure of David Moyes to Manchester United in the summer.

The blue half of Merseyside only have one blip on their Premier League record - a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City, but they have struggled to find the net of late having recorded goalless draws in their last two league fixtures.

Liverpool have suffered two defeats in the league this season, coming against Southampton and Arsenal, but the Reds sit four places above Everton in the table in second spot.

Brendan Rodgers's men head into the encounter on the back of a 4-0 win over Fulham, but they were unable to grab a victory against Everton last season, as both fixtures finished in a draw.

In terms of the teams, Romelu Lukaku could get the nod up front for Everton, while on-loan midfielder Gareth Barry is likely to be asked to control the midfield.

Despite Rodgers having some concerns over Daniel Sturridge's fitness, the striker is likely to start, while Steven Gerrard should captain the side following his international stint with England.

Recent form

Everton: WLWWDD

Liverpool: WWDWLW

Possible starting lineups

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

Liverpool: Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Cissokho; Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho; Suarez, Sturridge

Sports Mole says: 1-1