Premier League preview: Stoke v Everton

Everton can extend their unbeaten run in the English Premier League to seven matches on Tuesday, when they travel to face Stoke City.

David Moyes’ side are sternly holding onto seventh place on the table, two points ahead of bitter rivals Liverpool, and it would be a notable success if they can finish higher than their Merseyside neighbours.

Everton’s most recent result – a 4-0 thrashing of Fulham – came off the back of their dramatic 4-4 draw with league leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford.

By comparison, Stoke have won just one of their past eight in the Premier League – with that victory coming over relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers – in an ominous sign that Tony Pulis’ side have effectively switched off with three games remaining.

They have, however, played four of the top five in that run, while also meeting in-form Wigan, but forthcoming opponents do not get any easier for Stoke, as they take on two relegation-threatened teams in QPR and Bolton during in the run-in.

But, with a game in hand, Pulis’ side are still within reach of a top-10 finish in the table should they turn their form around in a hurry.

And goalkeeper Asmir Begovic was taking the positives out of their last-start 1-1 draw with top-four side Arsenal ahead of their clash against Everton.

“I thought we performed superbly well against a very good Arsenal side,” Begovic said.

“We can be happy with the performance and happy with the point because it keeps us ticking along.

“We were desperate to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing result against Newcastle United, and on another day we could have been standing here with a win behind us.

“We had one or two close calls at the end where the ball just didn’t drop for us, but we can’t complain about a point against Arsenal. It sets us up nicely for Tuesday’s game.”

Stoke are missing Andy Wilkinson (hamstring), Salif Diao (knee) and Mamady Sidibe (knee) due to injury, while Leighton Baines (hamstring) and Jack Rodwell (hamstring) will be absent for the visitors.