Everton v Latics Preview

Latics travel to Everton this afternoon looking to get some points from the festive period, unlucky to get nothing from the Arsenal game, Martinez won't want to be bemoaning his luck again come 5pm, a performance similar to last Saturday's and a bit more composure in front of goal, we can be a match for anyone

Gary Caldwell could return to the starting eleven following his hamstring strain, though Martinez is issuing caution over the fitness of star midfield man James McCarthy

Everton were involved in an incident packed game at the weekend, Darron Gibson was sent off late on but he's had his red card rescinded, they won the game and sit in 5th spot in the table with 30 points

This will be a tough game for the Latics, but we have proved we can match them having drawn 2-2 earlier in the season, a point again today would be very welcomed

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'This Everton side tick every box. They have been able to get consistently good results in this league and that allows you to be fighting for the top four positions.

'At Goodison Park they are unbeaten and it is one of the hardest places to visit in the Premier League.

'We are well aware of all that, but we feel we can match Everton on our day.'

Gibson is available after his red card at West Ham was rescinded. Felaini is suspended though and Hibbert is injured

Everton possible - Howard; Jagielka, Heitinga, Distin, Baines; Osman, Neville, Gibson, Pienaar; Anichebe, Jelavic.

The former Latics always appears top of his game when he plays against us

Long term absentees Alcaraz, Crusat, Watson, Miyaichi and Ramis are all still missing, Gary Caldwell could get a start

Latics from - Al Habsi, Stam, Boyce, Figueroa, Beausejour, Jones, McCarthy, McArthur, Maloney, Di Santo, McManaman, Kone, Pollitt, Golobart, Fyvie, Boselli, Caldwell

We will need a big game from James today in the centre of the midfield



By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Latics and Everton have met 17 times

Latics 2 wins, Everton 8, draws 7

Only one of those games came outside the Premier League, back in 1980 the Latics, as a bottom tier club, got a glamour tie in the 4th round of the FA cup when they were pulled out of the bag to face the Toffee's at Goodison Park.

15,000 Wiganers travelled up the East Lancashire Road in the hope that Ian McNeill's men could pull off a shock result, unfortunately, and despite putting up a spirited display the Latics came unstuck and Everton ran out three nil winners with goals from Brian Kidd, Joe McBride and Bob Latchford

Last Six Meetings

06 Oct 2012 - Premier League - Latics 2 Everton 2
04 Feb 2012 - Premier League - Latics 1 Everton 1
17 Sep 2011 - Premier League - Everton 3 Latics 1
30 Apr 2011 - Premier League - Latics 1 Everton 1
11 Dec 2010 - Premier League - Everton 0 Latics 0
30 Jan 2010 - Premier League - Latics 0 Everton1

Lee Mason (Bolton)

This will be Mason's first game in charge of the Latics this season, he has refereed Everton twice

Lee Mason is one of only two Premier League ref's, the other is Andre Marriner, who have not issued a red card this season

Lee Mason Card Watch 2012/13

Games - 15, yellows - 58, reds - 0

Head says we can get something here

Heart agrees, 1-1

Premier League

Aston Villa v Latics
Villa Park
Saturday
29/12/12
3pm

Latics v Manchester United
DW Stadium
Wednesday
01/01/13
3pm

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