Everton will continue trying to revive their Premier League campaign as they look to end a five-game winless run when they take on Southampton at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Under-pressure Roberto Martinez will have one eye on next weekend's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United, but before that, they take on a Southampton side who are aiming to push closer to a European spot.
Everton
© Getty Images
The Merseyside outfit cannot seem to get over the line in the Premier League as they have recorded three defeats and two draws in their last five games in the top flight.
Martinez and his men finished a disappointing 11th last season, and they are in danger of ending this campaign in a similar position as they are currently 12th in the standings with six games left to play.
Some fans appear to be losing faith with Martinez as a handful unfurled a banner reading 'Martinez out' in the away end at Vicarage Road prior to Everton's 1-1 draw with Watford last week.
Martinez has been defiant and despite Leighton Baines claiming that there is a lack of chemistry within the squad, the Spanish boss is confident in his team.
The league table never lies, but many find it rather baffling that a team that possesses the quality of Romelu Lukaku, Ross Barkley, Gerard Deulofeu and Aaron Lennon are in the lower half of the table.
This season's form has also raised questions over the futures of some of the team's star players, including Lukaku, Barkley and defender John Stones, who was heavily linked to Chelsea last summer.
Goals have been hard to come by for Everton as they have netted just three in their last five games, and it was evident in Wednesday night's clash against Crystal Palace that the team are missing their shooting boots.
The Toffees, who went down to 10 men in the second half after James McCarthy was sent off, created eight shots, seven of which were on target but they could not get a single one over the line as they were forced to accept a goalless draw at Selhurst Park.
Everton's season is not a total disappointment just yet as they still have the chance of winning silverware as they are due to face Man United in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley, but that has not managed to quiet Martinez's doubters.
Recent form: WLLLDD
Recent form (all competitions): LWLLDD
Southampton
© Getty Images
Ronald Koeman's side managed to overcome back-to-back Premier League defeats to Chelsea and Bournemouth and they remain in a position to put those fighting for European places under pressure.
Southampton have only suffered defeat once in their last five league games and that was a 1-0 loss to leaders Leicester City, who are three wins away from taking home the trophy.
The Saints earned wins over Stoke City, Liverpool and more recently Newcastle United, in which they claimed a 3-1 triumph thanks to goals from Shane Long, Graziano Pelle and Victor Wanyama.
The Saints' priority has been to push for a European place this season and they are currently seventh in the table, three points behind fifth-placed Manchester United with five games left to play.
Southampton have the joint-third best home record this season having won nine of their league games on home soil, which matches the records of Manchester United and Arsenal.
Only Manchester City, Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur have won more home games this season, but the Saints' away record is less impressive.
Koeman's side will travel to Goodison Park this weekend having won just five of their 16 league games on the road. They have lost six of them and drawn the remaining five.
Recent form: LDWWLW
Team News
© Getty Images
Everton will be without Phil Jagielka for another game as he continues to nurse a hamstring injury, which has put him in doubt for next week's FA Cup semi-final.
Gareth Barry took the captaincy from Jagielka for Wednesday night's game against Palace, and he is expected to keep the armband for this weekend's visit of Southampton.
Tom Cleverley is also a doubt, while McCarthy will definitely miss the game as he is due to serve a one-match ban following his sending-off at Selhurst Park.
As for Southampton, Long is likely to be fit for the encounter, but Steven Davis could miss out because of an ankle sprain.
Charlie Austin remains out of action with a knee injury, but other than those mentioned, Koeman has no other concerns.
Everton possible starting lineup:
Robles; Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Baines; Barry, Besic; Deulofeu, Barkley, Lennon; Lukaku
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Forster; Martina, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Wanyama, Clasie; Tadic, Mane, Long; Pelle
Head To Head
Earlier this season, Everton earned a 3-0 win over the Saints at St Mary's thanks to goals from Lukaku, who scored twice, and Barkley.
In fact, the Toffees are unbeaten in their last two games against Southampton as Jagielka's 16th-minute goal was enough to claim victory at Goodison Park one year ago.
Everton just edge the past five head-to-heads as they have beaten the Saints three times, while the south coast outfit have earned two wins.
The Dugout Podcast
Hit play below to listen to Sports Mole's new podcast 'The Dugout' for our take on the week's biggest football talking points:
We say: Everton 2-1 Southampton
Everton are due a win in the Premier League as they have struggled to get over the line in their last five matches, but they showed improved signs against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. They knocked on the door numerous times, but Martinez's players could not convert their shots. If they manage to get the backing of their home fans at the weekend, they may manage to inflict a second defeat in six gamed for Southampton.
No Data Analysis info
