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West Bromwich Albion vs Everton

Lyndon Lloyd , 31 December, 29comments  |  Jump to most recent
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Everton will be looking to reclaim their place in the top half of the Premier League with a flying start to 2012 as they travel to the Hawthorns. The Blues are unbeaten in three games now and can leapfrog their opponents this weekend with a victory on a ground where they've won twice in the Premier League era.

If the Baggies' last game is anything to go by, it will be a tall order for an Everton side struggling badly for goals. Roy Hodgson's men frustrated free-scoring League leaders, Manchester City, on Boxing Day by holding them to a 0-0 draw.

Just as was the case at the Stadium of Light where the Blues snatched a point against Sunderland, injuries to the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Jack Rodwell, and Seamus Coleman will impact heavily David Moyes's selection options in midfield but, this being another away game, the expectation is always that the manager will err on the side of conservatism.

Rodwell has returned to training but it would be a surprise if he were risked so soon after recovering from a hamstring strain so Phil Neville and John Heitinga are likely to continue their central partnership with Leon Osman and Royston Drenthe on the two flanks.

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Indeed, despite its rather one-dimensional core, Moyes could opt for an unchanged line-up and that would mean persisting with the goal-shy partnership of Tim Cahill and Louis Saha up front forcing Apostolos Vellios and Denis Stracqualursi to watch from the bench hoping for a chance as a substitute.

Everton last won their first League game of the New Year four years ago and Moyes will be hoping for a positive start to provide a platform for the arrival of Landon Donovan who will first be eligible for the home game against Bolton on Wednesday.

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