Premier League: Everton v West Ham United match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s fixture at Goodison Park

Roberto Martinez looks on from the touchline (GETTY IMAGES)

West Ham travel to Merseyside on the back of four consecutive league wins, brimming with confidence.

Currently sitting seventh in the league, the Toffees’ share the same number of points with their former manager's current side, Manchester United.

After losing Marouane Fellaini at the beginning of the season, manager Roberto Martinez has found a stable central midfield partnership by bringing in his former Wigan player James McCarthy and securing Gareth Barry on loan for the season. The two midfielders have combined to provide the team with four assists and three goals while playing at home. Though Martinez is without both his league top scorer Romelu Lukaku and new addition Lacina Traore third choice striker Steven Naismith has managed to score in his last two home appearances.

The return of captain Kevin Nolan has boosted the West Ham's performances in February. Nolan has increased his goal tally to seven and the Premier League veteran has contributed five goals in the team’s last four wins.

Though West Ham have only managed to win three times playing away from home, two have been since the onset of the New Year. The Hammers maybe enjoying their best run of form at the moment, but a well organised defiant Everton side may spoil the party on Saturday denying Big Sam and his team a chance to win five games on the trot.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3.00pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS

West Ham 2 (Morrison, Noble) Everton 3 (Baines 2, Lukaku), Premier League September 2013

Everton 2 (Mirallas 2) West Ham 0, Premier League, May 2013

West Ham 1 (Cole), Everton 2 (Anichebe, Pienaar), Premier League, December 2012

STATS

Everton have lost at home only once this season, 1-0 against Sunderland in December 2013.

West Ham conceded only one goal in the league in all of February.

Everton have not lost to West Ham in the Premier League since the 2006/07 season.

ODDS

Everton to win: 1.5

West Ham to win: 7.5

Draw: 4.0

TV: Highlights: Saturday, 10.30pm on BBC 1