Everton meet Liverpool in a huge Merseyside derby in the race for European qualification.
Victory will lift Everton up to sixth in the table, whilst Liverpool can move up to fourth if Aston Villa lose at home to Sunderland.
Team News
Carlos Alcaraz is set to return for Everton after several weeks out with a knock.
Jack Grealish is still ruled out with a season-ending foot injury.
Liverpool will be without Hugo Ekitike for the remainder of the season after he ruptured his Achilles during their Champions League exit against PSG, in which they lost 2-0 at home on Tuesday evening.
Joe Gomez (muscle) is sidelined for the next fortnight.
Alisson (muscle), Wataru Endo (ankle), Conor Bradley (knee) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Everton host Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday 19 April at 14:00pm BST, live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Everton have won one of their last nine league meetings against Liverpool (W1, D2, L6).
- Liverpool are making their first trip to Everton’s new home – Hill Dickinson Stadium.
- David Moyes’ Toffees have lost just one of their last eight home matches against Liverpool, albeit at their former home – Goodison Park (W1, D6, L1).
- Everton have scored five goals without conceding in their last two home matches (W2).
- Liverpool have lost their last two top-flight away matches by 2-1 results at Wolves and Brighton respectively (L2).
Prediction
Having twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Brentford in an entertaining game where their attacking intensity and press looked impressive compared to the start of the season, Everton now have a chance to put an European spot in their own hands if they bring that standard after their rivals slipped up on Saturday.
Liverpool though will be eager to consolidate a Champions League spot following Chelsea’s slip-up and bounce back from their European exit to PSG, where they again put up a strong fight but lacked the end product amidst small defensive errors so I expect a reaction here.
Everton though have had a full week to prepare for a historic first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and with the home fans surely up for this given what is at stake, I fancy Everton to take the win if they cut out the defensive errors and get in front first as Liverpool aren’t consistent at present.
Prediction: Everton 2-1 Liverpool
Result: Everton 1-2 Liverpool
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