Source: SKY_Sports
Everton v Stoke preview
Everton take on Stoke at Goodison Park on Sunday in what could be a tight encounter between two well-organised and hard-working sides.
The Potters were seen by most as relegation fodder last season but they confounded their critics and stayed up with relative ease.
After summer strengthening, Tony Pulis' side have now pushed on this season as the Stoke boss seeks to establish the Potters as a Premier League force for years to come.
While Pulis will have his side fully prepared for Sunday's trip, he will be up against an equally wily manager in David Moyes.
With a limited budget, the Scottish tactician has established Everton as a top performing Premier League side, as well as FA Cup finalists last term.
After a wobble at the start of this season as the unsettling Joleon Lescott transfer saga reached its conclusion, it is now business as usual for Moyes' team, who have won five games on the bounce in all competitions.
But while the Toffees are bang in-form, the Potters have the advantage of having more time to prepare for this game - their last match was the 2-0 home reverse to Manchester United last Saturday, while Everton must re-focus quickly after their 2-1 victory at BATE Borisov in the Europa League on Thursday.
Team newsThe Toffees were without nine first-team players for the victory over BATE, with Steven Pienaar and Jack Rodwell both out of action, while Joseph Yobo was forced to pull out with a thigh strain.
Tony Hibbert did a good job in Yobo's absence and could fill in again if he fails to recover, while John Heitinga will return after being ineligible for the fixture.
Moyes started with Yakubu and Jo upfront but Louis Saha is again available after serving a one-match ban after his sending off against AEK Athens.
Mikel Arteta, Phil Neville, Victor Anichebe and Phil Jagielka remain long-term absentees.
For Stoke, striker James Beattie is confident he will be fit to start against his former club following an ankle injury which restricted him to a late cameo as a substitute against the Red Devils.
Pulis will make a late decision on fellow striker Ricardo Fuller, who is 'touch and go' for the game after picking up a groin injury in the Carling Cup victory over Blackpool in which he scored.
But the game will come too soon for midfielder Salif Diao, who is yet to feature this term after picking up a calf injury in pre-season.
But he played a full reserve game on Monday night and now has the following encounter with West Ham in his sights.
Possible starting XIsEverton: Howard, Distin, Hibbert, Heitinga, Baines, Cahill, Osman, Pienaar, Fellaini, Rodwell, Saha.
Stoke: Sorensen, Huth, Faye, Shawcross, Collins, Delap, Whitehead, Whelan, Etherington, Beattie, Kitson.
