The Toffees will have their sights set on a fourth consecutive victory as they take on Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts have been in good form themselves, having won four of their previous six games including a 2-1 win over Manchester United, with narrow defeats only at the hands of Tottenham and Liverpool. Swansea will be looking to consolidate its more than respectable mid-table position in the Premier League and to keep the pressure on Spurs and Southampton, who sit in seventh and sixth respectively.
Everton, meanwhile, has put together a late-season renaissance of sorts to alleviate much of the pressure on Roberto Martinez’s shoulders. A hard-earned 1-0 victory over the Saints at Goodison Park was a highlight in a bleak season for the Blues and showed that the team remains capable of challenging the league’s upper echelon of clubs.
Both teams will view the match as very winnable, with improved table positions still on offer in the remaining seven matches of the season.
Key Battle – Bafetimbi Gomis vs Phil Jagielka
Swansea’s French striker Bafetimbi Gomis has been none too shy in front of goal recently after a slow start at the Liberty Stadium, netting three times in two matches. His late strike against Aston Villa in late March was enough to secure three points on that occasion, and a brace last week helped the Swans see off Hull in a 3-1 win.
During Everton’s three-match winning streak its defence has tightened up significantly, largely thanks to an upturn in form of skipper Jagielka. The Toffees have conceded just one goal in three Premier League matches, and Jagielka himself put himself amongst the scoring, nabbing the winner against the South Coast side.
Nullifying Gomis’ influence will go to great lengths in limiting Swansea’s attacking prowess.
Team News
Gary Monk will be forced into at least one change after Kyle Naughton was ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious ankle injury, with Angel Rangel looking the most likely to replace him at right-back. Jack Cork sustained a dead leg against the Tigers, but he is expected to take his place in midfield. Ecuadorian midfielder Jefferson Montero is also a chance to return after a hamstring injury.
Swansea City Expected XI (4-3-3): Fabianski (GK); Rangel, Fazio, Williams, Taylor; Ki, Cork, Shelvey; Routledge, Gomis, Sigurdsson.
The Toffees emerged from the last week’s fixture with a clean bill of health, so Martinez will not be forced into any changes. Striker Romelu Lukaku sat out the match with a hamstring niggle and has been rated as a “50/50 chance” of facing the Swans, but it is reasonable to assume the Spanish gaffer will not risk the striker.
Everton Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Howard (GK); Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines; Barry, McCarthy; Lennon, Barkley, Osman; Kone.
Head-to-Head
Swansea and Everton have played 13 times since 1981 in all competitions and the latter has dominated the fixture. The Blues have beaten the Welsh side nine times with three draws. Swansea’s only win against the Blues was a 3-0 League Cup win earlier this season.
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Last Meeting
The most recent clash between the clubs was a goalless draw at Goodison Park in Week 10.
Prediction
With both sides in good form, it is hard to split the two. Both sides enjoy possession-based styles, so expect a tight, low-scoring encounter with patient build-up play. The Swans will look to assert themselves on the match early with the backing of the home fans and dominate thereafter, but do not discount Everton’s ability to come up with a sucker punch or two.
Swansea City 1 Everton 1
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