Everton vs. West Brom: Match Preview

Everton will be making a glorious homecoming after a pair of excellent 2-0 wins away from Merseyside. The visitors for this game are West Bromwich Albion, whom the Blues played and beat on New Year's Day thanks to a late goal from sometime-supersub Victor Anichebe. The win that day at the Hawthorns allowed Everton to leapfrog the Baggies, and since then both teams have had mixed fortunes, with West Brom currently at 14th with 36 points while Everton are 9th with 40 from the same number of games.

Read on after the jump for more.

The Toffees' last two games have been outstanding and will need to prove that they are capable of stepping up their game to the same level when playing at home as well. So far they have won both their games this season against West Brom and Saturday is a good chance to complete the hattrick.

Team News

Winger Royston Drenthe has been given extended compassionate leave for some family problems he is facing. Midfielders Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman are both still out with injuries but Steven Pienaar should return to the squad after being Cup-tied for the Sunderland fixture.

The Baggies are going to be without the services of influential midfielder James Morrison for the rest of the season. Paul Scharner will be contending to replace him in the lineup, especially with his history of scoring important goals against Everton. Also out are long term casualties Zoltan Gera and Steven Reid but Chris Brunt and Jerome Thomas trained all week and should be back in the starting squad.

Keys To The Game

A big question for Moyes is if he can really drop Gueye after what could have been his best performance so far in Everton senior team colors. If he can work out a way to get them both playing then Everton can punish West Brom like Newcastle did last week with quick counter attacks and clinical finishing.Darron Gibson very important, still unbeaten

Roy Hodgson doesn't have good memories of Goodison, especially from his time as Liverpool boss. If his five-man midfield fails to click, then goalkeeper Ben Foster might well be the busiest man on the pitch. Another crucial element for his side will be if Shane Long will start at forward in support of dangerman Peter Odemwingie.

Match Facts

A red card has been shown in each of the last three games between these two teams. Everton have only conceded one goal in their last four home games, including games against Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal. West Brom have only lost two of their nine away games this season. The Baggies have scored a league-leading 22% of their goals from corners.