Everton vs Stoke City: Preview & Prediction

Everton host Stoke City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon at Goodison Park looking to make it two wins from their opening three league fixtures.

Ronald Koeman’s Toffees overcame West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns last weekend, as goals Kevin Mirallas and Gareth Barry overturned Gareth McAuley’s early opener for the Baggies, to continue the positive start under their Dutch manager.

Everton have accumulated four points from their two games, with Koeman eyeing European qualification in May, the Merseyside outfit will be hoping to swiftly move on from the disappointing finish of 11th in the top-flight in the 2015/16 campaign.

Currently residing in fifth in the league table, Everton will be buoyed by their current form, which included a routine 4-0 win over Yeovil Town of League Two in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.

Aaron Lennon, Ross Barkley and Arouna Kone’s late brace ensured progression against the Somerset-based club on home soil.

Mark Hughes takes his Stoke battlers to Everton knowing that the Potters must rectify their form, after a 4-1 defeat at home to Manchester City last Saturday lunchtime.

Sergio Aguero and Nolito netted a brace in either half for Pep Guardiola’s title-challengers, with Bojan’s penalty being the only consolation for Stoke, in a frustrating afternoon for Hughes against his former employers.

Stoke’s heavy reverse against the men from the Etihad Stadium followed up their opening day point away to newly-promoted Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

The Staffordshire side did win in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, as Peter Crouch’s hat-trick, along with Phil Bardsley’s goal defeated Stevenage 4-0 at Broadhall Way.

Stoke took the three-points in the last Premier League game at Goodison Park between the teams, after Marko Antonovic scored a stoppage time penalty kick to secure a 4-3 win.

The Toffees’ latest addition, Bolasie – Photo: Mark Leech / Offside.

Team News:

New signings Yannik Bolasie and Ashley Williams could be handed first league starts for Everton against Stoke on Saturday.

Koeman will be without Republic of Ireland international Seamus Coleman, due to the full-back recovering from an ankle injury, which will keep him out until after the international break.

The trio of James McCarthy, Tom Cleverley and Darron Gibson are all doubtful with minor knocks.

For Stoke, Swiss international midfielder, Xherdan Shaqiri could return to the starting XI on Saturday after a calf injury.

Goalkeeper Jack Butland (ankle) remains doubtful, as does Glen Johnson (thigh) – the pair will be forced to watch from the stands, despite nearing full fitness.

League Positions: Everton – 5th (4pts); Stoke City – 17th (1pt)
Last Meeting: Stoke City 0-3 Everton – (February 6, 2016)
League Form: Everton – WLLWDW; Stoke City – LDLWDL
Key Men: Everton – Ross Barkley; Stoke City – Bojan
Shoot Says: Everton 3-1 Stoke City