Everton welcome West Ham to Goodison Park in a competitive Premier League encounter.
With their points deduction now reduced to six points following their successful appeal, victory would see Everton climb to 13th if Crystal Palace and Bournemouth both lose elsewhere.
West Ham can go seventh if can better Brighton’s result at Fulham in another mid-afternoon kick-off.
Team News
Lewis Dobbin is unlikely to feature for Everton after he missed their 1-1 draw at Brighton with an ankle injury.
Idrissa Gueye (groin), Andre Gomes (calf) and Amadou Onana (groin) are doubts but Arnaut Danjuma (ankle), and Dele Alli (groin) remain sidelined.
West Ham will welcome Kalvin Phillips back into contention after he was suspended for the Hammers’ win over Brentford.
When is Kick-Off?
Everton host West Ham at Goodison Park on Saturday 2 March at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Everton have won two of their last five meetings against West Ham (W2, L3).
- West Ham have won three of their last five league visits to Everton (W3, L2).
- Victory would see Everton do the league double over West Ham for the first time since 2014-15 season, with the Toffees having won both games by 2-1 result that season.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin has attempted more shots than any other Everton player this season, having produced 49 shots in 22 league appearances.
- Eight of Jarrod Bowen’s 14 league goals for West Ham this season were scored on his left foot.
Prediction
Although spirits will be positive amongst the home faithful after their points deduction was reduced to six points on appeal, Everton can’t afford to rest on their laurels because they are still in this relegation fight with another points deduction dangling over their neck.
Sean Dyche though can be heartened by a resilient defensive performance produced by his Toffees to snatch a draw at Brighton, having been outclassed if not for a clinical goal on top of several stunning saves which almost got them the win until a late equaliser.
West Ham meanwhile ended their rut with a ruthless display to punish a sloppy Brentford in which they had great fluidity and energetic pace to their attacking play, but I do think that they will need more patience to break down this stubborn Everton defence on Merseyside.
Fans therefore should probably expect a tense game because I seriously expect Everton to try and frustrate West Ham defensively and try to nick the win, but David Moyes’ Hammers do look like they are getting back on track and should win if can play like they did against the Bees.
Prediction: Everton 0-1 West Ham
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