Date: 17th September 2016 at 9:51am
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This Saturday sees Ronald Koeman’s Everton side host newly promoted Middlesbrough, who have made a solid start to the new campaign.

The Toffees will be looking to build upon their impressive win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and push on further in the pursuit of European football.

Meanwhile Boro boss Aitor Karanka will be hoping his side can produce a better performance after their defeat to Crystal Palace last week in order to maintain this positive start in the Premier League.

The form of Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku looks to be showing signs of restoring itself, as the forward notched up a superb hat-trick on Monday night.

Many Everton fans will be curious to see if he can sustain this type of form, as it could prove to be crucial in order to keep the team at the top-end of the league.

The performance of summer signing Yannick Bolasie against Sunderland was also an encouraging sight, as for certain he will provide a much needed pace and aspect of trickery that Everton have been lacking in recent years.

However, Middlesbrough’s new signing Alvaro Negredo has also showed early signs of how he could be crucial to Boro’s stability in their first season back in the top-flight.

For sure, home form will prove to be vital if the men from the North-East are going to survive in the league, although away fixtures like this need to be taken advantage of.

o Negredo of Middlesbrough - Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Spain international, Negredo, scored on his Premier League debut for Boro against Stoke City back in August – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Team News:

Mohamed Besic, Darron Gibson and James McCarthy remain sidelined for at least a month, while Tom Cleverley has a slight chance of featuring in the fixture.

Grant Leadbitter and Fabio are out with long-term injuries, while forwards Jordan Rhodes and Cristhian Stuani face late fitness tests for the trip to Goodison Park.

League Positions: Everton – 3rd (10pts); Middlesbrough – 9th (5pts)
Last Meeting: Middlesbrough 0-1 Everton – (December 26, 2008)
Form: Everton – WDWWW; Middlesbrough – DDWDL
Key Men: Everton – Romelu Lukaku; Middlesbrough – Alvaro Negredo
Shoot Says: Everton 3-1 Middlesbrough
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