Mark Lawrenson predicts Everton v Stoke
By Harvey Byrne
Mark Lawrenson has predicted a stalemate in Everton’s clash against Stoke in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.
The Toffees are preparing to travel to the Bet365 Stadium in an encounter which will see seventh take on 10th.
It will be the second time the pair have met each other with their previous clash coming in August which saw a Shay Given own goal hand Everton all three points at Goodison Park.
However, Lawrenson believes there will be a different outcome when the two meet again on Wednesday and has tipped a 1-1 draw.
“Everton have found a bit of form, with four wins and a draw in their past five league games,” said Lawrenson to the BBC Sport website.
“Toffees boss Ronald Koeman has been busy in the transfer market and, with Ross Barkley’s form starting to pick up and Tom Davies emerging too, there seems to be a bit more urgency in his team now.
“It will be interesting to see how new Stoke striker Saido Berahino will do following his move from West Brom. He is an extremely good finisher and I think he will perk them up a bit.
“Both of these sides are in the top half, and for good reason – they both have good managers, who are planners and organisers.
“Realistically they are both playing for seventh place this season and, as far as Wednesday goes, I think this will be a hard-fought game, with the points shared.”
Lawrenson identified Everton’s good run of form and the Merseyside club will be eager to continue with it after a slump between October and December.
They have won three of their last four matches in all competitions, which includes an emphatic 4-0 victory over Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Mark Hughes’ Stoke team are in inconsistent form with a draw, loss and two wins coming from their last four fixtures in all competitions.
A win for Everton would see them remain in seventh place, but they could make the ground up on Manchester United in sixth depending on their result against Hull.
Meanwhile, a defeat would keep West Brom hot on their tails in eighth with three points currently separating them.
In other Everton news, here is the expected Toffees team to face Stoke.
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