The first of Sunday’s Premier League double bill takes place at Goodison Park.
Everton’s Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku look dejected
Having made a fine start to his Everton tenure, Ronald Koeman is now realising the challenging nature of the job he has taken on. The Toffees went six matches unbeaten at the beginning of the season, but go into the weekend without a win in four having come unstuck at Burnley last weekend.
It is a different story for West Ham, who seem to be on the up after a desperate start. Consecutive wins have lifted the Hammers out of the bottom three, and though neither of them have been convincing – they needed a last gasp Winston Reid strike to get past bottom club Sunderland last time out – they have provided much-needed points.
West Ham United’s Winston Reid celebrates scoring their first goal
The Key Battle – Romelu Lukaku vs Winston Reid
The Belgian striker leads Everton’s scoring charts with six league goals this season, but Reid will be confident after his match-winning intervention last weekend.
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their first goal
Last Meeting:
The most recent clash between these two perhaps encapsulated the Roberto Martinez era at Everton – a bright start followed by an inexplicable collapse.
Everton threw away a 2-0 lead in March’s meeting, with the happy Hammers sealing their remarkable comeback through a 90th minute winner from Dimitri Payet.
Recent league form – most recent last:
Everton – WWLDDL
West Ham – LLLDWW
Who’s the ref?
After surviving the furore that surrounded his appointment to control Manchester United’s clash with Liverpool a fortnight ago, Anthony Taylor returns to top flight action at Goodison Park.
The 38-year-old is yet to show a red card in his 11 games in all competitions this season.
Referee Anthony Taylor
What time is kick off?
The action from Merseyside kicks off at 1.30pm.
Where can I watch it?
This is the first part of the Super Sunday double header on Sky Sports 1. Build-up for this one starts at 12.30pm.
Odds
Everton – 3/4
Draw – 14/5
West Ham – 100/30
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