With only one defeat in seven and a priceless four points picked up against Tottenham and Liverpool in the last fortnight, Everton seem to be fulfilling their contractual obligation to start badly and finish strongly in the Premier League. Losing Steven Pienaar may prove to be a huge loss to David Moyes' side but an emerging Seamus Coleman is providing pace and invention to a side that has too often lacked creativity in midfield this season.
West Ham on the other hand seem to be in severe decline. With only two clean sheets in their last 17 league games, the Hammers have been struggling defensively and won't be overly confident about visiting a ground where the have only won in one of their last 14 visits.
TEAM NEWS
Everton
David Moyes' side come into this game against West Ham on the back of a win at home to Tottenham and a draw to arch-rivals Liverpool, and the Toffees will feel that these are the games that the team has to win if they are to climb out of the bottom half of the table.
Louis Saha is likely to miss the game with a thigh strain and Tim Cahill is still on international duty at the Asian Cup for Australia, though the club will be boosted by the return of Phil Jagielka who looks set to partner Sylvain Distin in the centre of defence.
Everton are otherwise expected to line up as they did at Anfield, with the 4-4-2 formation that has seen a transformation of their recent fortunes.
Possible starting XI: Howard; Neville, Heitinga, Distin, Baines; Coleman, Arteta, Fellaini, Osman; Anichebe, Beckford.
West Ham
Avram Grant has received the backing of his board despite seeming certain for the axe following the Hammers' desperate performance against Arsenal last week, in which they limply went down 3-0 to the Gunners at Upton Park.
The visitors are still without Thomas Hitzlsperger (ankle) and Manuel Da Costa (foot) however, the Hammers' injury list is shortening by the week with both Benni McCarthy (calf) and Herita Ilunga (ankle) both on the verge of returning to first team action.
Grant will know that his side need to start picking up points if they are to avoid the drop and with the strongest possible squad at his disposal for a number of weeks, the Israeli manager will be hoping to pick up at least one on Merseyside this Saturday.
Possible starting XI: Green; Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Bridge; Piquionne, Noble, Parker, Boa Morte; Obinna, Cole.
Prediction
Everton 2-1 West Ham 
