Ronald Koeman targets back-to-back wins as Everton look to catch Arsenal
Everton manager Ronald Koeman is targeting six points from their next two matches to retain some purpose in their season.
West Brom and Hull are the visitors to Goodison Park before the Toffees head to near-neighbours Liverpool for the Merseyside derby.
Koeman has challenged his players to win both games at home in order to maintain the pressure on teams in the top six, with fifth-placed Arsenal only six points away, albeit with a match in hand, but seemingly in crisis.
"I still believe in when we win the next two games at home that still something is possible above us in the table," said Koeman.
"But that starts with six points and starts this Saturday.
"Arsenal are normally strong and have good players, so it will be really tough to catch them. But maybe after six points then we come closer and then maybe something is possible.
"It starts always by yourself, don't look too much to other teams. If you win we come closer and that is the most important."
Forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in contention for a place in Everton's squad to face West Brom after recovering from an ankle injury which has sidelined him since January 2.
Midfielder Muhamed Besic has returned to training after recovering from a knee ligament operation but there are doubts over whether he will feature at all this season.
Koeman is likely to make changes from the side which lost at Tottenham with veteran midfielder Gareth Barry likely to make way for the more attacking Ademola Lookman.
West Brom boss Tony Pulis is set to enter talks with the club over another contract extension but has stressed there is "no rush".
Pulis, whose side are currently eighth in the Premier League, signed a one-year extension in October that runs to 2018.
On the prospect of another new deal for the 59-year-old, Baggies chairman John Williams said last month: "It would be (a) recommendation to my colleagues in China (West Brom's owners) that...I would be more than happy to see his contract extended."
And when asked ahead of Saturday's league trip to Everton if he was ready to talk to Williams about that, Pulis said: "Yes, I'll sit down with John and we'll have a chat.
"He's coming up to Everton this weekend, so we'll sit down and have a chat.
"But there's no rush.
"There's no problems in anything we do here. John keeps me in touch with what the Chinese owners are thinking. I think they talk two or three times a week. So there is good communication between them.
"And I think Mr Lai (club owner Guochuan Lai) is actually over for the Arsenal game (on March 18) as well, and all the Chinese contingent."
West Brom will once again be without winger Matt Phillips on Saturday.
Phillips sits out the Premier League contest at Goodison Park due to the hamstring problem that has kept him sidelined for the last two games.
Pulis says he has "one or two knocks" in his squad beyond that but does not expect anyone else to be unavailable.
Source: PAR
