Match Preview Liverpool vs Everton

Match Preview Liverpool vs Everton

Its derby weekend in Barclays Premier League as two of the most high profile derbies is scheduled this week. We are starting our match previews with the feisty Merseyside Derby.

It has been one of the oldest and bitter derbies in the land for eternity. Passions run high as every scouser pledges his allegiance to either the Blues or the Reds.

Preview 

Liverpool 

Liverpool had a fairy tale season last term but they are struggling to get moving in Premier League this season. Liverpool are entering this derby fixture not with the best of forms as they are still licking their wounds post back to back defeats in the league to Aston Villa and West Ham United. They also struggled against a lowly Middlesborough side in midweek.

Everton 

Everton, like their neighbors are miles away from their best. They have been on and off throughout this season. They too are entering this fixture with back to back defeats under their belt. Toffees haven’t won at Anfield since September 27, 1999. This suggests that Anfield hasn't been one of the happy hunting grounds for them for 15 years, to b precise.

As we've often seen, form book is tossed into the air during the derby fixtures. The side who manages to hold onto their nerve usually clinches it. Both the Merseyside sides will have to dig deep to get any sort of result this weekend.

Team News 

Liverpool will be buzzing by expected return of their talismanic striker Daniel Sturridge. Brendan Rodgers dropped massive hints that the Englishman could make a spectacular return after missing 3 games due to injury. Emre Can, Joe Allen and Jon Flannagan are already ruled out of this fixture due to injury.

Everton too will be buoyed by the return of winger Steven Pienaar , who will undergo a late fitness test. Seamus Coleman should make it in time for the visitors as well. Ross Barkley remains only long term injury for the Toffees.

Probable Lineups 

Liverpool 

Mignolet; Moreno, Lovern, Skrtel, Manquillo; Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Lallana; Balotelli

Everton 

Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Stones, Baines; McCarthy, Barry, Osman, Mirallas, McGeady, Naismith; Lukaku

Prediction 

Merseyside derby has always been an emotionally charged affair. Expect loads of cards and a goal here or there.

TFM predicts Liverpool 2-2 Everton