Everton v Liverpool preview

Derby: Moyes and Benitez meet on Sunday

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Skysports.com prediction: Everton 1 Liverpool 1

SKY BET odds: Everton 11/4 Draw 12/5 Liverpool evens

One to Watch: Tim Cahill

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It's the first Merseyside derby of the season on Sunday as Everton host Liverpool at Goodison Park, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1.

With both teams struggling for form in the Premier League, the meeting offers an intriguing prospect as five points separate the sides in the table.

Last season, a brace from Fernando Torres handed a 2-0 win to the Reds and the Spaniard faces a race against time to return from the groin injury which has kept him out since their draw with Lyon at the start of the month.

Everton, who have injury problems of their own, will be hoping to improve their recent home record against Rafa Benitez's side having lost seven of the last nine league meetings at Goodison.

Under-pressure Benitez is in desperate need of a win having not won in the league since last month's Anfield triumph over Manchester United, with his side facing a genuine struggle to finish in the top four this season.

Everton team news

The Toffees remain without injured captain Phil Neville, whose knee injury sustained against Fulham may require surgery and will continue to keep him sidelined until at least next month.

Long-term absentee Mikel Arteta (knee) furthers his spell on the sidelines while an ankle injury keeps Leon Osman out, leaving manager David Moyes light in the centre of the park.

A trio of knee injuries also keeps out Phil Jagielka, James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe, which could force Moyes to stick with a similar side which went down 3-2 to Hull City on Wednesday night.

After finding themselves 3-0 down at half-time, Everton threatened to conjure up an incredible comeback in the second period and Moyes will be encouraged by the way his side came out fighting, albeit to no avail.

However, Marouane Fellaini and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov return from suspension and could immediately return to the first team.

Ever-present Tim Howard will start in goal with Joseph Yobo and Sylvain Distin likely to be the central pairing in front of him.

Leighton Baines can expect to start at left-back while Lucas Neill, once heavily linked with the Reds, will keep his place on the opposite flank.

Tim Cahill, who has a fine goalscoring record against Benitez, will captain the side in the heart of midfield and will be aiming to dump further misery on Liverpool's season.

Makeshift midfielder John Heitinga will be replaced by Fellaini while teenager Jack Rodwell is expected to continue his impressive run in the side.

In-form Louis Saha will start up front, possibly alone, with Brazilian Jo and Yakubu Aiyegbeni likely to be confined to the bench.

Liverpool team news

Benitez awaits news on the availability of star striker Torres, with Frenchman David Ngog on hand to deputise once more should the Spaniard fail to recover in time.

Out-of-favour full-back Andrea Dossena is struggling to make the bench with a groin injury while Philipp Degen serves the last of his three-match suspension.

Pepe Reina, one of those voicing his support for his manager ahead of the game, will start in goal with Jamie Carragher ahead of him at the heart of defence.

With Glen Johnson fit to return to right-back, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger will battle it out for the right to partner Carragher at centre-half.

Argentine Emiliano Insua will start at left-back and his fellow South American Fabio Aurelio is in contention with Yossi Benayoun to start ahead of him on the same flank.

Workhorse Dirk Kuyt will continue in his winger-role on the right with Lucas Leiva and Javier Mascherano once again holding the midfield in a deep role.

Captain Steven Gerrard will play off the chosen striker and expensive summer signing Alberto Aquilani is likely to be confined to the bench again.

Possible starting XIs

Everton: Howard, Neill, Yobo, Distin, Baines, Cahill, Rodwell, Pienaar, Bilyaletdinov, Fellaini, Saha.

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Johnson, Lucas, Mascherano, Kuyt, Benayoun, Gerrard, Ngog.