MX23RW : Saturday, December 28 03:05:26| >> :120:12520:12520:
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Everton logo
Premier League
Mar 15, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Cardiff City logo

2-1

Deulofeu (59'), Coleman (90')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Cala (68')

Preview: Everton vs. Cardiff City

Sports Mole previews the clash between Everton and relegation-threatened Cardiff City, who are the Premier League's worst travellers, at Goodison Park.

Cardiff City will be hoping to use their crucial triumph over Fulham as the catalyst for their escape from Premier League relegation, starting at Everton on Saturday.

The Welsh outfit won for only the second time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's management last weekend as captain Steven Caulker scored twice against the Cottagers.

Those three points lifted Cardiff to 18th in the table and further success at Goodison Park could see the Bluebirds climb out of the bottom three for the first time since New Year's Day.

However, the Toffees have only been beaten once on home soil this season and could be boosted by the return to fitness of captain Phil Jagielka, who is battling a hamstring strain.

Both he and Steven Pienaar face late fitness tests, but the England international is expected to be part of a defence which leaked four goals in his absence in the FA Cup quarter-final hammering by Arsenal.

With that trophy now out of their reach, Roberto Martinez's focus will turn to securing European qualification via their league finish, and victory over Cardiff, the division's worst travellers, could see them climb above Manchester United, who host Everton's rivals Liverpool on Sunday, to sixth in the table.

John Stones may make way for Jagielka, while Ross Barkley could retain his place in the starting XI after dazzling in defeat to the Gunners. Lacina Traore and Bryan Oviedo are among those definitely out.

Having chopped and changed for much of his tenure, Solskjaer may stick with the majority of the side who beat Fulham although Ben Turner is a doubt having sustained a knock in stoppage time.

Spaniard Cala is on standby if the defender is unfit and while Craig Bellamy is available again after completing a three-game ban, he is likely to be on the bench unless Cardiff revert to five in midfield.

Recent form

Everton: LWLWLW

Cardiff: WLLLDL

Possible starting lineups

Everton: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Mirallas, McCarthy, Barry, Pienaar; Barkley; Lukaku

Cardiff: Marshall; Fabio, Caulker, Turner, John; Noone, Kim, Medel, Mutch; Campbell, Jones

Sports Mole says: 3-1


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Written by
Joe Fish
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Jack Wilshere of England grimaces as he goes to ground during the International Friendly match between England and Denmark at Wembley Stadium on March 5, 2014
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4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Brentford187383232024
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Everton173861522-717
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17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1813141137-266


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