Everton v Stoke preview: Xherdan Shaqiri fit for Potters trip

Xherdan Shaqiri is expected to be fit for Stoke's trip to Everton in the Premier League on Monday afternoon, with the sides separated only on goal difference.

Both teams have amassed 26 points in the top flight so far this season, with the Toffees currently two places ahead in ninth.

Stoke produced one shock results on Boxing Day as they beat Manchester United 2-0 at the Britannia, while Everton snatched a late winner to win 1-0 at Newcastle on their festive travels.

Team news

Everton boss Roberto Martinez will use the depth of his squad as he prepares for Monday's clash with Stoke.

Gerard Deulofeu came on as a substitute at Newcastle, while Everton boss Roberto Martinez opted to leave Arouna Kone on the bench, and both will hope for involvement at Goodison Park.

Phil Jagielka (knee), Steven Pienaar and Bryan Oviedo (both hamstring), James McCarthy (hip) and Steven Naismith (ankle) are all close to contention after recovering from injury.

Stoke forward  Shaqiri is expected to be fit, despite coming off in the second half of the 2-0 win over Manchester United.

Midfielders Geoff Cameron and Glenn Whelan were also substituted because of slight calf and hamstring injuries in the Boxing Day victory, but should be available for the trip, according to manager Mark Hughes.

Midfielder Stephen Ireland, striker Peter Crouch and defender Marc Muniesa are all out with hamstring problems.

Opta stats

Everton have conceded only nine goals in their last 20 home league games against Stoke and never more than once in a single match during this run.

Stoke won both of their league meetings with Everton in 2014-15 without conceding a single goal (2-0 at home, 1-0 away).

The Toffees have won seven of their last 10 top-flight home games against Stoke (D1 L2).

Romelu Lukaku has scored six goals in his last six league appearances at Goodison Park after a run of just one goal in his previous 14 league appearances there.

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Everton have lost more league games (five) than they have won (three) at Goodison Park since the start of May.

There have been 19 goals scored in the last four league games played at Goodison Park; an average of 4.8 per game.

Merson's prediction

Stoke are absolutely flying. What a result for them against Manchester United.

This is a hard game for Everton. They just can't seem to win back-to back football matches. I could not believe the Leicester result last weekend, but fair play to them, they bounced back with that late winner against Newcastle.

It's going to be a tight affair at Goodison Park so I'll go with a 1-1 draw.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (9/2 with Sky Bet)

Betting

Everton are marginally odds-on with Sky Bet at 19/10 as Stoke are considered 3/1 outsiders while the draw is a 12/5 chance. The Potters are 6/1 to record yet another win to nil, while Romelu Lukaku heads the first goalscorer betting at 4/1.