Everton vs. Liverpool
Venue: Goodison Park
Kick off: 1:30pm
There may be less than a five-minute drive between Everton and Liverpool, but they are miles apart in terms of pressure on their managers.
The job belonging to Liverpool boss, Brendan Rodgers, is under scrutiny after his side’s unconvincing start to the season, while Roberto Martinez hosts Sunday’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on the back of a four-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.
There have not been many times when Everton have been deemed favourites to win a Merseyside derby, but they have been given that expectation ahead of this weekend’s clash.
Last season was a disastrous campaign by the Toffees’ standards as they finished 11th in the table, 15 points adrift of a European spot.
It is a big contrast this season as Martinez has managed to inject that free-flowing football that made him an instant hit at Goodison Park when he took over from David Moyes in 2013.
Everton have just one blip on their record so far in the top flight – a 2-0 defeat to title challengers, Manchester City.
Aside from that, the Toffees have recorded three victories, one of which came against Chelsea, and three draws, with Ross Barkley seemingly finding his zest again, and the midfield partnership of Gareth Barry and James McCarthy looking solid.
Everton have also been boosted by the permanent return of winger Gerard Deulofeu, who is likely to earn more first-team chances after showing his promise in recent games, while Romelu Lukaku heads into this weekend’s derby in great form having scored twice in his side’s comeback win over West Bromwich Albion on Monday.
There is added incentive for the striker on Sunday as he is only four goals away from becoming the fifth Belgian to score 50 Premier League goals before the age of 23. Everton’s performances have pushed them up to fifth in the table, but they have shown some inconsistency in their last six games as they have scored three goals in as many occasions and not made a single strike in the other three.
A large plus though, which Martinez has admitted himself, is the fact that Everton are not playing in Europe this season.
The team struggled to cope with the demands of the playing every Thursday and Sunday, but being able to put all their focus into domestic action is working so far.
Liverpool kicked off the season with Champions League ambitions, but now there are questions over whether or not they will end the season with Brendan Rodgers in charge.
The Northern Irishman has faced criticism for his side picking up 11 points from a possible 21 in the top flight, while the performance of their team, which includes eight new summer arrivals, has been deemed lacklustre at times.
Ever since Liverpool lost Luis Suarez last season and Daniel Sturridge succumbed to injuries, the Reds have struggled to find the same attacking prowess that launched them to a title challenge in the 2013-14 campaign.
In fairness, replacing Suarez is an almost impossible task due to the Uruguayan’s quality, but add to the fact that Raheem Sterling and the club’s long-serving captain, Steven Gerrard, left in the summer, Liverpool have struggled to put opponents on the backfoot, and at times, have looked short of ideas.
Just seven goals have been scored by Liverpool in as many league games, and they went five games with just three goals in the bag, but they have been boosted by the return of Sturridge, who scored twice against Aston Villa in only his second game back from five months on the sidelines.
Everton possible starting lineup: Howard; Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Galloway; McCarthy, Barry; Deulofeu, Barkley, Naismith; Lukaku.
Liverpool possible starting lineup: Mignolet; Sakho, Skrtel, Can; Moreno, Lucas, Milner, Clyne; Coutinho; Ings, Sturridge.