Maiga’s last chance as the Hammers welcome Everton

Everton travel down from Liverpool to the Boleyn Ground to face our beloved West Ham. The Toffees have enjoyed a successful start to the Premier League season and along with city rivals Liverpool, are undefeated.

Everton have earned 3 draws and a win so far this year, with their most recent fixture being the win (versus Chelsea last weekend). The Toffees have kept an impressive 3 clean sheets in their 4 Premier League meetings this year, however, West Ham can also boast that clean sheet record (and conceded 1 less goal). Both sides possess a fantastic defence and will more than likely only need 1 goal to win games this season, which is easier said than done for West Ham so far.

Modibo Maiga is set to start his 5th consecutive game this season and is given possibly his last chance to prove that he is worthy of this position. New signing Mladen Petric will be amongst the bench and will be pushing for that starting position soon.

Everton have quite the contrast in availability of striking options with new signing Romelu Lukaku being available for selection for the first time. Also, favoured forward Nikica Jelavic will be in contention of the lone striker position along with the returning Arouna Kone. Forwards Kevin Mirallas and Steven Naismith will likely play a wide attacking midfield role.

With Marouane Fellaini having transferred to Manchester United, Everton’s physical presence has somewhat decreased. However, Everton play true to Roberto Martinez’s sides and will look to keep the ball on the deck and move the ball around fast, which requires less of a physical presence. Ross Barkley is now the central attacking midfielder of choice and is a player who I personally rate very highly. Ravel Morrison will have to be very disciplined along with Mark Noble to stem Ross’ ability. Ravel would prefer a similar role to that of Barkley’s for Everton but will not be allowed to “free-roam” like his fellow young Englishman.

Ravel will be awarded his second Premier League start with Mohamed Diame resuming his role against Southampton out on the right hand side. This will pit Mo against Leighton Baines, who may have been caused more problems by Joe Cole and Stewart Downing, who are more suited to the position, if it wasn’t for injury.

Guy Demel has picked up an injury that will see the Ivorian miss the match versus Everton. This will mean a home debut for Romanian captain Razvan Rat who will play at left back and Joey O’Brien will cover Demel’s right back position.

Everton are without Darron Gibson and Steven Pienaar through injuries with Arouna Kone returning from injury to possibly make the bench for the Toffees.

Likely Line-ups

West Ham

Jaaskelainen

O’Brien                Collins                                Reid               Rat

Noble                                Morrison

Diame                                  Nolan (c)                           Jarvis

Maiga

Everton

Howard

Coleman               Jagielka (c)                         Distin         Baines

Osman                            Barry

Mirallas                           Barkley                     Naismith

Lukaku

In the previous 6 meetings between the sides West Ham haven’t managed a single win. Everton have 3 wins and there have also been 3 draws. They have been relatively feisty fixtures producing 18 yellows and 3 reds, although two of those reds came in this weekend’s fixture last season when Carlton Cole and Darron Gibson were both sent off by referee Anthony Taylor to the outrage of both sets of supporters.

With both teams struggling to score goals so far this season and both also producing fantastic defensive displays this game doesn’t hold much hope for goals. You’d always believe as a West Ham fan that the opposition are likely to nick it with a single goal and with Romelu Lukaku likely to make his debut he is probably the best bet to make the difference.

A 0-0 wouldn’t be an ideal result but with Maiga leading the line positives can be taken from a clean sheet and also taking a point. Until Andy Carroll returns I would not expect West Ham to find the back of the net. Of course we can (and have) but I would laugh of optimistic West Ham fans claiming a 2-0 victory.

It shouldn’t be forgotten that Everton are undefeated so far and IF West Ham were to snatch a win, it would be the result of the season so far (although that doesn’t say much!).

Prediction: West Ham 0-1 Everton – but unless Everton’s taking of chances increases due to the arrival of Lukaku then a point could well be on the cards for the Hammers.