Goodison Park is the venue today as Everton host Reading at 3pm.
One of the the key matches this weekend, both sides are scrapping it out for different reasons – Everton are still on the hunt for a European place while Reading are languishing in 19th place and need points quick. David Moyes’ men have looked shaky lately and if the Royals can get stuck in early on, anything could happen today.
FORM
High-flyers Everton have seen their Champions League ambitions suffer in recent weeks with only one win in their last six league games, including last week’s 2-1 away loss to Norwich.
That said, The Toffees’ home record is superb – they’ve only lost once in 17 home matches this season.
After a stunning January which gave Reading a fighting chance of Premiership safety, the Royals have now lost their last two games. A 3-0 defeat to Wigan at home last time out was a real six-pointer and to have any chance of staying up they need to start picking up points.
TEAMS
Everton team: Mucha, Coleman, Baines, Distin, Jagielka, Gibson, Fellaini, Osman, Pienaar, Mirallas, Jelavic.
Reading Team: Stuart Taylor; Kelly, Mariappa, Pearce, Harte; Kebe, Leigertwood, Akpan, McAnuff; Le Fondre, Hunt
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Everton have struggled to find a reliable goal-scorer up front since Nikica Jelavic’s loss of form, so a good outing and a goal against Oldham for Kevin Mirallas means he could start today. The Belgian is capable of a bit of magic and he can pose a serious threat to the Reading defense.
For Reading, Adam La Fondre scored twice in the return fixture and they could be relying on ‘Alf’ for another rescue mission today
BETTING ADVICE
Reading will throw everything at Everton, but it probably won’t be enough to beat the 2/5 favourites. 15/4 is good value for the draw.
