Stoke
Once again, Stoke have very little to worry about in the way of injuries, with Andy Wilkinson set to miss out again with the groin injury that kept him out of the draw with Arsenal at the weekend.
Salif Diao also missed that game with a hamstring injury and is likely to be absent once again. Tony Pulis will not be forced into any changes and so could stick with the same starting XI this time around.
Probable lineups : Begovic, Wilson, Shawcross, Huth, Sotton, Etherington, Whelan, Whitehead, Pennant, Walters, Crouch. (4-4-2).
Everton
Darron Gibson was forced off at half-time in the win over Fulham at the weekend. Tim Cahill was his replacement then and could come in this time as well.
With Leighton Baines still sidelined, Phil Neville could deputise at left back once again, with Johnny Heitinga in central midfield, as he did at the weekend.
Royston Drenthe has been suspended by the club for disciplinary reasons and is unlikely to feature for Everton again, with his loan deal ending this summer.
Probable lineups : Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Neville, Osman, Heitinga, Fellaini, Pienaar, Cahil, Jelavic. (4-4-1-1).
Prediction
This match pits the two teams at either end of the 'middle bunch' of teams in the Premier League who cannot get relegated or qualify for European competition this season. Both teams have little to play for in that regard, but will still be keen to get a result here.
Everton have the motivation of potentially finishing above rivals Liverpool for the first time since the 2004/05 season, while Stoke will feel that they are deserving of a better position than 14th, and will look to take advantage of their game in hand here. A win for the home side would see them jump to 11th position.
Stoke have won 3 and drawn 2 of their last 5 home games, with the 2 draws coming against Manchester City and Arsenal, while Everton have won only 1 of their last 8 on the road, yet have drawn 5 of those. The Toffees have scored 4 goals in their last 3 Premier League games, though, and so there could be goals again here.
Stoke 2 - 2 Everton
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