Wednesday 13 January 2016 19:50, UK
Romelu Lukaku is available for Everton as they prepare to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Lukaku, who has scored 12 goals in his last 12 matches in all competitions, took a knock to his ankle in the process of scoring in Everton's 2-1 Capital One Cup semi-final win over City last week and missed his side's FA Cup win over Dagenham and Redbridge at the weekend.
But news of his return will be a huge boost for Roberto Martinez as he looks to lead his side to a repeat performance of last week's victory over Manuel Pellegrini's team.
Despite defeat at Goodison Park, City should be in confident mood against a side they have not tasted defeat to in the league in five matches.
Pellegrini's men have won four of their last five league meetings with the Toffees and they will be hoping to continue their impressive record as they look to close the gap on league leaders Arsenal.
Team news
City will be without Wilfried Bony, Fernandinho, Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala and Samir Nasri for the clash with Everton.
However, there is better news on the fitness of David Silva and Yaya Toure, with Pellegrini revealing the midfield duo will return against the Toffees after missing the FA Cup tie with Norwich City at the weekend.
As well as the return of Lukaku, Everton defender Ramiro Funes Mori is available despite needing 10 stitches in a head wound at the weekend, while Tim Howard will return in goal after making way for Joel Robles in the cup competitions.
But midfielder Tom Cleverley (ankle) is rated 50/50 and full-back Seamus Coleman will be out for a couple more weeks with a calf injury.
James McCarthy is also still sidelined.
Opta stats
City have won four and drawn one of their last five Premier League meetings with the Toffees (W4 D1 L0).
Everton have won 17 Premier League games against City; only against West Ham United have they won more often (22 wins, also 17 wins versus Newcastle).
Toure has had a hand in six goals (three goals, three assists) in eight Premier League appearances versus Everton.
Lukaku has scored 10 goals and assisted three more in his last 10 Premier League appearances. Lukaku is Everton's top-scoring player in the Premier League since the start of 2014-15 with 25 goals; the only player to have reached double figures for the Toffees in this period (Naismith the next best with nine goals).
After having a hand in seven goals in his first five Premier League appearances this season (one goal, six assists), Silva has been involved in just one goal (no goals, one assist) in his last seven games in the competition.
Thirteen different players have scored a Premier League goal for City this season (excluding own goals), a wider spread than any other team.
Merson's prediction
They play each other again in the Capital One Cup a few weeks later, so this is an important game. Everton don't want to get beaten here, that won't be good psychologically for the second leg of the semi-final.
But I think City will win. Everton are a good team when they have all their players fit, but they haven't been winning games even when they have been playing well. City let in goals and Everton have a go wherever they play.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Sky Bet make City 1/2 shots ahead of their clash, with 5/1 shots Everton and the draw trading at 7/2.
City have not kept a clean sheet in 13 home matches in all competitions and the home side to win and both teams to score is 13/8.
Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp, Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier are tipping Sergio Aguero to open the scoring at 3/1, while Thommo is also backing Aguero and Lukaku both to score at odds of 5/1.
See all the odds and match tips here.
