It may be hyperbole to say it, but once again Everton play a must-win match as they take on Crystal Palace at Goodison Park. 3 points would see the Toffees take sole possession of 4th place while a draw would put them in 4th on goal differential. A win tonight would almost guarantee Everton some European football next year. They would only need 1 point from the remaining 4 matches to secure a Europa League spot.
Weeknight matches are always special at Goodison, and it looks like the ground will be packed for what would normally be a throwaway match. After a poor showing against Sunderland on Saturday, the Toffees will want to revert to a form that has seen them win their past 6 matches.
The pitfall of looking ahead is also there. Sunday sees the return of David Moyes to Goodison Park. Things haven't gone to plan for Manchester United, but that will still be a charged match with both clubs competing for European places.
The lineups are below, and Roberto Martinez has opted to go with a slightly different lineup. James McCarthy will be on the bench which means we might see Ross Barkley in a more defensive role, or a 4-1-4-1 formation exploiting the use of Everton's pace with Mirallas, Deulofeu, and McGeady.
Everton XI: Baines, McGeady, Deulofeu, Mirallas, Distin, Lukaku, Barry, Coleman, Howard, Stones
Everton Bench: Robles, Hibbert, Naismith, McCarthy, Osman, Garbutt, Alcaraz
Crystal Palace XI: Speroni, Mariappa, Delaney, Dann, Ward, Jedinak, Ledley, Bolasie, Puncheon, Chamakh, Jerome,
Crystal Palace Bench: Hennessey, Parr, McCarthy, Ince, O'Keefe, Gayle, Murray