Team News
In a fixture that has historically struggled for goals, both teams’ injury lists would suggest another low scoring affair. Everton, with a slowly recovering injury list, still have a substantial amount of players unavailable from their squad. Unfortunately, a fair few players who bring attacking flair to the side are a doubt for Wednesday night’s game, with Baines, Oviedo, Pienaar and McGeady all out with injuries. Baines, who is still nursing a minor thigh injury, should be replaced by impressive youngster Luke Garbutt. Lennon and Gibson are in contention to be in the starting line-up, which should bring some positive play to the side, while Atsu remains absent due to illness.
Stoke are also suffering from a long list of injuries and are without arguably their most creative player, Bojan- the ex-Barcelona player’s recent absence has had a massive influence on Stoke’s performances. Stephen Ireland is expected to miss the game after he required stitches to a calf wound suffered against Hull. Defender Ryan Shawcross could be absent due to a back injury, which will be a huge loss for Stoke, whose defenders could struggle with Lukaku’s pace and physicality. Odemwingie and Muniesa remain side-lined.
Expected Line Ups
Stoke: (4-2-3-1) Begovic- Bardsley Wollscheid Wilson Pieters- Nzonzi Whelan- Walters Adams Moses- Crouch
Everton: (4-3-3) Howard- Coleman Stones Jagielka Garbutt- Barry McCarthy Gibson- Lennon Lukaku Naismith
