Merseyside Derby Preview

Where: Goodison Park
Day: Sunday, 4^th October 2015
Time: 1:30pm (GMT)
TV Channel: Sky Sports 1

The first Merseyside Derby of the 2015/2016 season is upon us, with Everton hosting bitter rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park this Sunday (4^th October).

The two teams will be determined to claim points from each other, with only one point separating them in the Premier League.

Everton currently have the best form, being unbeaten in their last four matches, whilst Liverpool hope that last weekend’s victory over Aston Villa will be the turning point in their season.

INJURY NEWS
Both teams will be without some key players for the Merseyside Derby, with Leighton Baines and Tom Cleverley being the biggest names guaranteed to miss out for Everton.

Liverpool will be without captain Jordan Henderson, who is still recovering from a foot injury, and a late fitness test will need to be conducted for summer signing Christian Benteke.

Everton will be hoping to have John Stones, Seamus Coleman and Muhammed Besic back for the derby and all three will face fitness tests of their own ahead of the important match.

Everton: Leighton Baines (out-foot), Muhammed Besic (50/50), Tom Cleverly (out-ankle), Seamus Coleman (50/50), Tony Hibbert (out-knee), Stephen Pienaar (out-hamstring), John Stones (50/50)

Liverpool: Christian Benteke (50/50), Roberto Firmino (out-back), Jon Flanagan (out-knee), Jordan Henderson (out-foot), Dejan Lovren (out-ankle)

RECENT FORM
Everton enter the derby match having won two out of their last four league matches. Those victories came against Chelsea and West Brom. The other matches in that run were 0-0 draws with Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur.

The mood around Goodison Park is high, with Everton showing their capability of returning to the Top 5 in the Premier League.

Manager Roberto Martinez performed well in the summer transfer market, bringing in important players such as Tom Cleverley, Gerard Deulofeu, Aaron Lennon and Ramiro Funes Mori to help boost Everton’s chances of improving on last season’s disappointing 11^th placed finish.

Liverpool, on the other hand, have been struggling in recent weeks.

Prior to their 3-2 victory over Aston Villa, Liverpool had not won a Premier League match since the 17^thof August, a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth.

In Liverpool’s last four league matches they have won once, drawn once and lost twice. Brendan Rodgers is beginning to feel pressure for his job and, if he doesn’t step things up, he could find himself without a job before too long.

Everton (Last 5 Matches): WDWDL
Liverpool (Last 5 Matches): WDLLD

KEY PLAYERS
For Everton, this one is a no-brainer. Romelu Lukaku is the team’s best striker and he is the one they will be relying on giving them a victory against Liverpool.

Ross Barkley and John Stones, if he is fit, will also play a crucial role in the derby but it is undoubtedly Lukaku that holds the key to victory for the Blues.

For Liverpool, they are missing some of their key players with Henderson and Roberto Firmino both out. Christian Benteke faces a fitness test ahead of the derby and, should he be fit, will be Liverpool’s key player.

Everton: Romelu Lukaku
Liverpool: Christian Benteke

PREDICTION
Everton will need to come out of the gate running and will need to give Liverpool everything they can.

They have the better form and Liverpool are missing many of their key players, which could make things difficult for the Reds.

If Everton can play the same way they did against Chelsea, then they should be able to earn all three points against their rivals across the park.

Score Prediction: Everton 2-1 Liverpool

Are you excited for the Merseyside Derby? Who do you think holds the key to victory for either team? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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