West Ham recorded only their third league win of the season against Fulham on Sunday, and their first away from Upton Park for 16 months, and no doubt boss Avram Grant will be looking for another inspired performance in front of the home fans against Everton.
Despite the victory at Craven Cottage, the Hammers are still in the relegation zone on 16 points, but it provided the east London club with a much needed boost to give them some momentum going into the second game of the important festive period.
But the Hammers do not have a good record against the Toffees having lost 2-1 in the corresponding fixture last season.
Toffees Looking To Extend Away Record
Everton head into this fixture having not lost in seven games on the road, the most recent being a 2-1 victory against Manchester City. The Toffees have also only failed to score once in their last 11 Premier League games, so goals could be aplenty.
And Everton fans will be optimistic heading into this fixture as the Merseyside club have an excellent record over the Hammers, having won seven of 15 games at Upton Park, with only four draws and four defeats in the process.
TEAM NEWS
West Ham
Following the 3-1 win against Fulham on Boxing Day, Avram Grant has no new injury concerns for the visit of Everton to Upton Park.
The Hammers boss will look to keep faith with the same 11 that started the game at Craven Cottage, although Victor Obinna could force himself back into the team after starting on the bench.
However, Grant will continue to be without defender Manuel Da Costa and midfielders Mark Noble, Jack Collison and Thomas Hitzlsperger, who are all sidelined until the new year with injuries.
Possible starting XI: Green; Ben-Haim, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon; Sears, Kovac, Parker, Stanislas; Cole, Piquionne.
Everton
Meanwhile, Everton’s game was postponed against Birmingham, so manager David Moyes will have a fresh set of players to choose from for the game against the Hammers.
However, the Toffees boss will be without striker Victor Anichebe who is suspended after seeing red in the 2-1 win against Manchester City, while defender Phil Jagielka is out with a thigh strain.
Midfielders Leon Osman and John Heitinga will also miss the trip to Upton Park with knee and ankle injuries respectively.
But Moyes will be boosted by the return of Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta who has now served his three-match suspension.
Possible starting XI: Howard; Neville, Hibbert, Distin, Baines; Coleman, Arteta, Rodwell, Fellaini; Cahill; Saha.
Prediction
With the Hammers beating Fulham and securing their first win away from home this season, I feel that the momentum is with them heading into this fixture. Despite Everton having a good away record, Avram Grant’s men will know that every home game will be crucial if they are to turn their season around and climb away from the bottom of the table.
West Ham 2-1 Everton 
