Everton vs Southampton. Premier League.
Goodison ParkAttendance36,761.
Saturday 16 April 2016 15:26, UK
Southampton travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton still harbouring hopes of securing European football next season.
The Saints are currently seventh in the Premier League table, just three points behind fifth-placed Manchester United.
Ronald Koeman's side face Everton team that have under-performed this season and sit 12th in the standings - 10 points behind Saturday's visitors.
Team news
Everton could be missing as many as seven first-team players. Twenty-five goal striker Lukaku did not train on Thursday due to a groin problem sustained against Crystal Palace.
Leighton Baines, Ross Barkley and Aaron Lennon are also doubts after picking up knocks in the 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park on Wednesday.
Midfielder James McCarthy starts a suspension while boss Roberto Martinez also confirmed Phil Jagielka and Tom Cleverley are not ready to return yet.
Southampton striker Charlie Austin will miss Saturday's clash with a knee injury after twisting his knee during the warm-up before the victory over Newcastle last weekend and is expected to be out for one more week.
Midfielder Steven Davis, however, has recovered from an ankle problem and is available for the game at Goodison Park.
Opta stats
Everton have lost just two of their last 12 Premier League meetings with Southampton (W6 D4).
Lukaku has scored four goals in six league appearances against Southampton and has had a hand in 14 goals (nine goals, five assists) in 16 Premier League appearances at Goodison Park this season.
Everton have collected as many points from their last 10 home games in the Premier League as Aston Villa have (eight).
Shane Long has now equalled his best tally of goals in a single Premier League season (eight) - the Republic of Ireland international has scored three times in his six league appearances.
Graziano Pelle has become the fifth Southampton player to score 10 or more goals in successive Premier League seasons after Matt Le Tissier, James Beattie, Rickie Lambert and Kevin Phillips.
Paul Merson's prediction
It's a tough game to call. It's a weird situation for Everton because they've got an FA Cup semi-final coming up but Roberto Martinez is under some serious pressure. They've got the date at Wembley next week but can't go into that on the back of a defeat - the fans are on his back as it is. Martinez would love to rest some players but I just don't think he can afford to.
A heavy defeat to Southampton and he will be under severe pressure. It will all come down to how much bottle he has. If he has the courage to rest all the players he needs for next week, then they lose this game 3-1, but if he plays a full-strength side then I see a 2-1 home win. It all comes down to Martinez and I hope he has the bottle to rest all his big guns ahead of the FA Cup semi-final.
I don't envy his situation. Anyway, we'll go for a draw here. All the best!
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)
Betting
Everton are 13/10 favourites with Sky Bet ahead of their clash with 2/1 shots Southampton with the draw a 12/5 shot. The Toffees are 15/8 to secure a finish in the top half of the table, while the Saints are 8/1 outsiders to claim a European slot. Everton are bidding to complete the double after their 3-0 win at St Mary's and Sky Bet are offering 3/1 for a win to nil for the hosts. Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas is tipping the Saints to make it four wins in five by recording a 2-1 win. See all the match odds here.
