Date: Monday, 2o January 2014; Venue: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich; Kickoff: 20:00 GMT Pepe Mel makes his debut in the West Bromwich Albion dugout knowing Everton have won on three of their last seven Premier League trips to The Hawthorns. The Baggies took three points from their last home game against the Toffees in September 2012. Shane Long, who has been sold to Hull City this winter, and Gareth McAuley were on target in that victory. When the sides met in the reverse fixture last August neither side could score. Nikica Jelavic led the line for Everton that day, but like Long has left his former employers for the Tigers. Life goes on for both clubs and talented youngsters spearhead their respective attacks in Saido Berahino and Romeluk Lukaku who faces the club he spent last season on loan with. Leighton Baines may be the man for Roberto Martinez in this fixture as his brace just under a year ago took the Toffees past Albion at Goodison Park. Mel's first priority is to address the recent poor form of one Baggies win in the last dozen in all competitions. Martinez meanwhile will be looking to take Everton back into the top four and capitalize on Merseyside neighbours Liverpool dropping points over the weekend.
Team News
Injury doubts hang over West Brom forwards Victor Anichebe and Stephane Sessegnon. Mel must decide whether to pairs Berahino or Matej Vydra with Nicolas Anelka up front or stick to a lone striker as he did at Real Betis. Albion defenders Billy Jones and Goran Popov miss out with eye and neck problems respectively. Sweeping changes from Spanish coach Mel are not expected. Martinez meanwhile may hand a Toffees debut to new signing Aiden McGeady. As Ross Barkley is out with a broken toe he could play off Lukaku or in a wide berth. Sylvain Distin should return at centre back, however, after three matches out with a hamstring strain. Everton remain without Paraguyan defender Antolin Alcaraz (muscle), on-loan winger Gerard Deulofeu (hamstring), Irish midfielder Darron Gibson and Ivorian striker Arouna Kone (both knee). Source: BBC, Daily Telegraph
Likely Line-Ups
West Brom: 1 Ben Foster, 2 Steven Reid, 23 Gareth McAuley, 3 Jonas Olsson, 6 Liam Ridgewell, 18 Morgan Amalfitano, 7 James Morrison, 21 Youssouf Mulumbu, 11 Chris Brunt, 20 Matej Vydra/38 Saido Berahino, 39 Nicolas Anelka 4-4-2/4-4-1-1 Everton: 24 Tim Howard, 23 Seamus Coleman, 6 Phil Jagileka, 15 Sylvain Distin, 3 Leighton Baines, 16 James McCarthy, 18 Gareth Barry, 11 Kevin Mirallas, 7 Aiden McGeady/21 Leon Osman, 22 Steven Pienaar, 17 Romelu Lukaku 4-2-3-1
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
