Everton vs Reading

9/2- Everton have performed immensely well this season and their 4^th position on the points table is an indicator of their strong hold on their football. Everton have maintained good performances while playing at home or away from home but the challenge now will be maintaining that position till the end of the season, especially with Liverpool following them strongly and might pose a threat to their position. After two draws in the last two weeks Everton would be looking out for a victory and full three points. This week they have a golden chance to do that when they take on 17^th placed Reading. The visitors have experienced six consecutive losses and are just a point away from the relegation zone. In fact the competition is between the two teams placed fourth, one from the bottom of the table while the other from the top. The only fact concerning Everton at the moment will be that they lost to the same side 1-0 in an away tie earlier this season.

The home side would be hoping the strong crowd support to drive them through as many key players might be missing from the match. The side’s top scorer this season, Yakubu, is out as he is on national duty for the African Cup so are players like Yobo and Pienaar. Hence Cahill would have to shoulder the goal scoring responsibilities alongside Johnson. The side would also look to a big margin victory so that they can stand good in the end if it comes down to the goal difference.

Reading would be hoping for a result like they had against Everton in the first half of the season though the chances look really slim. The visiting side would not want to lose this one as that could possibly push them into the relegation zone but avoiding defeat would not be easy.

Prediction: 2-0, Everton win