Everton v Liverpool predicted lineups and match preview

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Everton take on Liverpool in the first Merseyside derby of the season with just a point separating the two sides.

To be played on Sunday 4th October 2015 at 13:30. Venue: Goodison Park, Liverpool

Odds: Everton 7/4, Draw 29/12, Liverpool 15/8

This is probably one of the few Merseyside derbies in recent years that Everton have gone into as favourites, and it’s also the first derby since the 1986 FA Cup final where the Reds are likely to be without a local lad in their starting XI.

Both sides have their fair share of injury worries at different ends of the field, with the Blues sweating on the fitness of Seamus Coleman and John Stones, while Liverpool could be without striker Christian Benteke – their most expensive signing of a busy transfer window.

Everton have added some momentum to their season, having come from two goals down to beat West Bromwich Albion on Monday night, building on some positive displays against Southampton and Chelsea, and they feel that now is the time to end their five-year derby drought.

Liverpool, however, despite being only one point behind their neighbours in the Premier League standings, have had an indifferent start to the season. They won their last league outing, with Daniel Sturridge back among the goals being a huge positive for the side, but were unable to make it back-to-back wins with an abject performance against Sion in the Europa League on Thursday – and there is real pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers. A derby win would ease the fears going into the international break.