Saturday 18 March 2017 14:10, UK
Everton defender Leighton Baines is likely to be fit for the visit of Hull after recovering from a back injury.
Baines' Everton are looking for a second straight home win after their 3-0 success against West Brom last weekend, as they sit eight points off the top four with 10 games remaining.
Hull, who are 18th, registered a vital win at home against Swansea last weekend, and are a point off 17th-placed Crystal Palace, having played a game more.
Team news
Everton midfielder James McCarthy is missing with a hamstring problem while Muhamed Besic is still working his way back to fitness after a long-term knee injury.
Striker Romelu Lukaku will start despite his refusal to sign a new contract.
Hull will be without ineligible striker Oumar Niasse and midfielder Evandro for their Premier League game at Everton.
On-loan Niasse will play no part against his parent club, while Evandro is still struggling with the calf injury which has ruled him out of the last three matches.
Midfielder Markus Henriksen is back in training after a shoulder injury but is unlikely to feature. Michael Dawson (calf), Dieumerci Mbokani (hamstring) and Ryan Mason (head) are still out.
Opta stats
After winning three consecutive Premier League games against the Tigers, Everton are winless in their last three (D2 L1).
Hull haven't beaten Everton at Goodison Park since August 1952 (2-0), losing five of the six clashes since.
No current Hull City player has scored more than one Premier League goal on the road this season (five players with one goal).
Lukaku is the only current Everton player to score more than once versus Hull City in the Premier League, netting against them in May and December 2014.
The Belgian is currently on 79 goals in the Premier League and won't be 24 years old until May. Only three players have reached 80 goals before their 24th birthday - Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Robbie Fowler.
Merson's prediction
Everton have now got Man Utd in their sights - I know Man Utd have got games in hand, but if they win this game, it puts pressure on the teams above them. And I expect Everton to win this game 3-0 as at home, they are a decent team.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Everton are just 8/15 with Sky Bet to secure the victory as Hull go up against odds of 5/1 to win and 16/5 to leave Goodison Park with a point. Romelu Lukaku also heads the first goalscorer betting at 11/4 while Abel Hernandez is considered the visitors' main threat at 8/1 to break the deadlock.
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