Two sides separated by one place and four points in the Premier League table prepare for battle at Goodison Park on Saturday, as Everton play host to Leeds United.
The Toffees fell to a disheartening 3-1 defeat at Newcastle United in midweek, while Marcelo Bielsa's men held Aston Villa to an enthralling 3-3 draw.
Match preview
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One for the Fantasy Premier League supporters, the deadlock was broken in Newcastle's clash with Everton through Jamaal Lascelles's own goal - assisted by Mason Holgate - before the two defenders comically swapped roles for the Magpies' equaliser barely a minute later.
However, Newcastle came out all guns blazing in the second period following their fortunate equaliser, with Ryan Fraser propelling Eddie Howe's men into the ascendancy before Kieran Trippier's stunning free kick completed the job.
There was never going to be a quick fix for Everton under Frank Lampard, even if the Toffees did sell their fans a false sense of hope with their FA Cup thrashing of Brentford earlier this month, and the hosts are now edging closer and closer to a relegation scrap.
Everton enter the weekend's matches down in 16th in the rankings - now just two points above the drop zone, albeit with games in hand over some of their bottom-five rivals - and their losing streak in the top flight now stands at an alarming four matches.
The 2-1 success over Arsenal back in December represents the Toffees' only win from their last 14 in the Premier League, but four of their five league wins this term have come at Goodison Park, where they will relish the opportunity to make up some ground on the Whites.
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Philippe Coutinho and Jacob Ramsey may have grabbed all the headlines for their storming displays at Villa Park, but take nothing away from Daniel James's contribution for Leeds, as the Wales international filled the Patrick Bamford-sized void to steal a point for his side against Aston Villa.
James and his 5ft 6in frame ended the day with two goals - including the unlikeliest of headers after being sandwiched in between two Villa defenders - and Diego Llorente completed the comeback from 3-1 down to rescue a 3-3 draw against Steven Gerrard's men.
On a day where there were some spectacular watches for the neutrals, Leeds certainly demonstrated a fighting nature that has been more apparent since the turn of the year, as Marcelo Bielsa's men lie 15th in the table and six clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand on 18th-placed Norwich City.
The Whites have now taken seven points from the last 12 on offer in the Premier League, but an inability to keep the back door shut away from home continues to bedevil them, as they have shipped 15 goals in their last four top-flight games on the road.
Another high-scoring affair could be in store here, as Leeds and Everton played out a 2-2 stalemate at Elland Road in the second week of the 2021-22 season, but the Whites did claim a 1-0 win at Goodison Park last term.
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Team News
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As if the defeat was not painful enough for Everton, Lampard lost Yerry Mina and Demarai Gray to injuries in the first half at St James' Park, and the Toffees boss has admitted that the former will be sidelined for 8-10 weeks with his thigh issue.
Gray's problem is not thought to be too serious, but the attacker will miss out here alongside Abdoulaye Doucoure, Tom Davies and Fabian Delph, with Ben Godfrey also out for approximately one month with a thigh issue.
With left-back Vitaly Mykolenko also out due to illness, Jonjoe Kenny may be required on the left-hand side, and Lampard also ought to consider bringing Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek into the first XI this weekend.
As for Leeds, Mateusz Klich was a late casualty of the Aston Villa draw with a knock, which could see a recall for Adam Forshaw in the middle of the park alongside Robin Koch.
Bielsa continues to make do without Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper and Sam Greenwood as well as Bamford, with Junior Firpo also not quite ready to return either.
Jamie Shackleton will also come into contention for a start if Bielsa needs fresh legs in his high-pressing machine, but the bulk of the XI which started at Villa Park should be retained here.
Everton possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Coleman, Holgate, Keane, Kenny; Allan, Van de Beek; Townsend, Alli, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Dallas; Koch, Forshaw; Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison; James
We say: Everton 3-1 Leeds United
Keeping clean sheets away from home is not Leeds' forte, and while Bielsa's men will always pose a threat at the other the end of the pitch, Lampard could very well turn Everton's fortunes around here.
The potential introductions of Van de Beek, Alli and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to the first XI could breathe new life into a Toffees side with a major point to prove in this contest, and we can see Lampard rectifying the mistakes of midweek with all three points here.
Top tip
Ben Knapton
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Everton win with a probability of 44.64%. A win for Leeds United had a probability of 30.03% and a draw had a probability of 25.3%.
The most likely scoreline for a Everton win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.01%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (9.13%) and 2-0 (7.61%). The likeliest Leeds United win was 0-1 (7.91%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.02%). The actual scoreline of 3-0 was predicted with a 3.9% likelihood. Our team at Sports Mole and our data analysis both correctly predicted that Everton would win this match.
