Next Monday, 15th of December 2014, a somehow fragilized Everton will measure forces with QPR at Goodison Park for round 16 of the English Premier League, on a match where the home side needs to snatch the three points in order to put an abrupt end to their less impressive moment, which started after their defeat at White Hart Lane.

Three defeats in the last four official matches is probably not the best omen for the upcoming match against an always complicated QPR side, but Everton’s boss, Roberto Martinez, needs to find a way to send the right message to his players and motivate them enough in order for them to snatch the three points. Everton’s excellent European campaign is probably the main cause for their underachieving domestic campaign, but they urgently need to find a way to revert that situation as they are only five points above the relegation zone. Their midweek defeat against Krasnodar for the UEFA Europa League might work as a catalyst for the upcoming matches, as the players have certainly understood that they cannot allow this “defeat spree” to continue for much longer, otherwise it could seriously compromise everything they have achieved so far.

The clash against QPR will certainly not be an easy one, especially if we have in mind that their opponents have won two of their last three matches and will certainly walk into Goodison Park hoping to take advantage from Everton’s hypothetical unrest.

For that particular match, Roberto Martinez is not yet certain if he will be able to rely on the services of Gibson, Atsu, Stones, Naismith and McCarthy, all currently sidelined due to injury.

As for QPR, their return to the English Premier League is being marked by some blatant inconsistency, but judging from their recent performances, they seemed to have found a way to make things right. Thanks to the two wins they granted in their last three matches, QPR abandoned the relegation zone but they are still walking on eggshells and a defeat at Goodison Park might compromise their recent apparent recovery.

Last weekend, The Hoops overcame Burnley at Loftus Road, thus changing places with them in the table. A goal by Austin and another one by Fer gave Harry Redknapp’s boys the much needed three points and allowed them to catch both West Brom and Crystal Palace in the table.

For the Goodison Park’s clash, QPR’s experienced manager will not be able to rely on the contribution of Charlie Austin, who was sent off last weekend.

Despite QPR’s positive moment, Everton are firm favourites to win next Monday’s match, but they will certainly need to dig deep in order to grant the three points.

Everton

Stats: W-1 L-3 D-1

Recent Form - LLDLW

QPR

Stats: W-2 L-2 D-1

Recent Form - WLWLD

Possible Line-ups

Everton (4-3-3) – Howard - Hibbert - Distin - Jagielka - Baines - Barry - Besic - Coleman - Mirallas - Eto’o - Lukaku

QPR (4-4-1-1) - Green - Caulker - Dunne - Yun - Isla - Fer - Henry - Barton - Vargas - Kranjcar - Zamora

Prediction

Everton 2 QPR 1