Everton vs Middlesbrough. Premier League.
Goodison ParkAttendance39,074.
Saturday 17 September 2016 17:00, UK
Gareth Barry is set to become the third player in Premier League history to make 600 appearances when Everton host Middlesbrough on Saturday evening.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman confirmed he would select the midfielder, meaning he will follow in the footsteps of Frank Lampard - who played 609 times - and Ryan Giggs, who leads the way on 632.
The Toffees are one of only four unbeaten teams in the league, sitting just two points behind leaders Manchester City.
As for Boro, their derby victory over Sunderland and draws against Stoke and West Brom have put them comfortably in the middle of the table, as they search for their second league win of the season.
Team news
Koeman could hand Enner Valencia his Everton debut against Middlesbrough after the 26-year old Ecuadorian joined on loan on Deadline Day.
Darron Gibson and James McCarthy will not feature, as they both continue to recover from injury.
Meanwhile, Jordan Rhodes and Cristhian Stuani could both miss out, Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka revealed.
Stuani is suffering from a groin problem sustained in Boro's 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, while Rhodes is said to have picked up a knock to his knee in training on Thursday.
Match stats
Everton have been beaten only once in their last 11 Premier League meetings with Middlesbrough, winning six and drawing four.
Boro haven't won at Goodison Park in the Premier League since May 2000, when goals from Brian Deane and Juninho sealed victory.
Everton have conceded just once in their last five home games against Middlesbrough in the Premier League.
For Romelu Lukaku, who has scored against 20 different teams in the Premier League, Saturday's show-down will be his first appearance in the competition versus Middlesbrough.
Should Everton win this match, it'll be the first time in Premier League history that they have won four of their first five games and collected as many as 13 points at this stage.
Merson's predictions
Boro had a bit of a wake-up call last week, getting picked off quite a few times by Crystal Palace.
They probably should have won at West Brom the week before and then they lose to Palace with a really tough game to come. Things can change very quickly; we know how ruthless this league is.
For all the ball Boro had at West Brom, they didn't really hurt their opponents and the Romelu Lukaku factor is massive.
Idrissa Gueye looks a player as well and I fancy Everton to keep things going against Middlesbrough.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 11/1)
Betting
Everton are Sky Bet's odds-on favourites at 8/13 with Middlesbrough up against odds of 9/2, while a draw is priced at 14/5.
The Toffees' impressive start has seen them cut to 7/1 for a top-four finish, while Boro have drifted out to 4/1 to face relegation.
Romelu Lukaku heads the first goalscorer betting at 7/2 as is 33/1 for another hat-trick, while Alvaro Negredo is considered the visitors' main threat at 15/2 to net first.
