Premier League: Southampton v Everton match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's fixture at St Mary’s

Roberto Martinez looks on from the touchline (Getty Images)

With Arsenal not playing until Monday evening, Everton head to St. Mary’s looking to leapfrog the Gunners and go back into the top four of the Premier League. Southampton seem destined to finish in 8th position; they are eight points behind Manchester United and three clear of a Newcastle side who haven’t won in over a month.

The Toffees haven’t lost to Southampton since 2002 and will be looking to continue their Champions League challenge after their comprehensive 2-0 win over Manchester United last weekend. Roberto Martinez’s side have won their last three matches on the road; their shock 3-2 defeat at home to Crystal Palace was only their sixth defeat of an impressive campaign.

Southampton are without a win in April, and have only found the net just once this month. Jay Rodriguez has been ruled out for the rest of the season, while left-back Luke Shaw has been in the headlines this week, amid rumours he is set to join Manchester United this summer.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 12:45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Everton 2 (Coleman, Lukaku) Southampton 1 (Ramirez), Premier League, December 2013 Southampton 0 Everton 0, Premier League January 2013 Everton 3 (Osman, Jelavic 2) Southampton 1 (Ramirez), Premier League, September 2012

STATS…

Everton have not won four league away games in a row since December 1985.

Southampton have not scored since striker Jay Rodriguez ruptured his ACL against Manchester City.

Everton have kept three clean sheets in their last four Premier League games.

Jay Rodriguez, Adam Lallana, and Rickie Lambert have scored 39 goals between them this season for Southampton.

ODDS…

Southampton to win: 2.96

Everton to win: 2.6

Draw: 3.55

TV: Live on BT Sport 1 at 12.45pm highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm