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Everton boss Roberto Martinez: 'Merseyside derbies are special'

Roberto Martinez believes that Merseyside derbies are some of the most "special" games in world football, and expects a "phenomenal" match on Saturday.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez expects Saturday's Merseyside derby against Liverpool to be a "phenomenal" game at Goodison Park.

The local rivals will go head to head for the 224th time with 14 points currently separating the two sides in the Premier League table.

Liverpool have the edge heading into this game as they have not lost a league fixture since December 14, while Everton had a four-game losing run in the top flight, but are unbeaten in their last three.

In the Anfield fixture in September, Phil Jagielka scored a stoppage-time goal to give Everton a 1-1 draw, and Martinez believes that there will be a similar level of drama at the weekend.

"The Merseyside derby is one of the most special games in world football," Martinez said in this morning's press conference. "The last one was a phenomenal football game with plenty of goals, both teams with an attacking mindset. I expect the same on Saturday.

"Liverpool and are on a good run and we feel similar in terms of the confidence the win at the weekend gave us, and the fact we are unbeaten in five."

Everton have 26 points from 23 games.

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Everton's English defender Phil Jagielka celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Europa League Group H football match between Everton and Lille at Goodison Park in Liverpool, Northwest England, on November 6, 2014
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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