Premier League: Match preview Everton v Cardiff City

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

Roberto Martinez reacts on the touchline (GETTY IMAGES)

Its the top four challengers against the relegation threatened in Merseyside as Roberto Martinez’s side look to capitalise on a lacklustre Cardiff City team. With the Toffees nine points behind fourth placed Manchester City, a return to Champions League football for Everton is a tough ask, but a Europa League place will surely be good for the stature of Everton.

The return of Romelu Lukaku has been a welcome boost, scoring on two consecutive occasions against West Ham and Arsenal respectively.

Everton’s irregular run of form of late will give Ole Gunnar Solksjaer some encouragement. The Toffees have only won three of their last 10 league games, which has seen them slip to seventh after a bright start.

Meanwhile if Cardiff can recapture the performance they showed in last week’s 3-1 over Fulham at the Cardiff City stadium, then there survival chances will be lifted. Steven Caulker influenced the Welsh club in that game, and inclusion in the England squad for Brazil is in the reckoning for the former Tottenham Hotspur centre half. Nevertheless, these is only Cardiff’s second win in 10 games, but are level on points with West Bromwich Albion.

KICK-OFF: Saturday 3pm

Past Three Meetings

Cardiff City 0 Everton 0, 31st August 2013

Everton 8 Cardiff City 3, 28th April 1962

Cardiff City 0 Everton 0, 9th December 1961

STATS...

Cardiff have won none of the last 11 Premier League away games (D2 L9) and lost the last seven in a row.

Everton have won 16 and lost just one of their last 22 Premier League home games.

Everton have won their last four home matches

Cardiff have conceded more headed goals (10) than any other side in the Premier League this season

Cardiff City have not won successive top-flight games since April 1962.

Everton have conceded only twice from corners this season, only Tottenham can match this record.

ODDS

Everton win: 1.36

Cardiff City win: 8.50

Draw: 4.75

TV: Highlights at 10:30pm on Match of the Day, BBC 1