Wolves v Everton

Last updated : 07 April 2011 By BBC Sport

Wolves trio Adlene Guedioura, Stephen Hunt and Michael Mancienne are all pushing for a recall after injury.Michael Kightly could make his first start since October 2009 after making his comeback from a serious knee injury with a cameo appearance at Newcastle.

Everton boss David Moyes is waiting on the fitness of Jack Rodwell (foot), Tim Cahill (ankle) and Seamus Coleman.

Cahill and Rodwell missed the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, while Coleman limped off with an ankle injury.

Wolves

Injured: Doyle (knee), Edwards & Zubar (both back)

Everton

Doubtful: Cahill (foot), Coleman & Rodwell (ankle)

Injured: Arteta & Baxter (both hamstring), Fellaini & Saha (both ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have all fallen prey to Wolves at Molineux this season, and three points against Everton in this early kick-off would taste just as sweet.

They're all tough games. I was listening to [Everton captain] Phil Neville at the weekend saying he thinks they're safe and can enjoy the rest of the season. They've got 41 points and they'll get more, just hopefully not on Saturday

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy

The game is the first of four crucial home games that will surely determine the club's future in the Premier League: seven of Wolves' nine wins have come on home soil, the best record of any side in the bottom nine.

Victory here would lift Mick McCarthy's men up to 14th in the table, a huge psychological boost following last weekend's heavy defeat at Newcastle, a performance McCarthy described as Wolves' worst of the season.

Everton arrive in the Midlands unbeaten in five, a run of form that has seen them climb to a season-high seventh in the table and just four points behind Liverpool. Toffees fans have now set their sights on overhauling their arch rivals for only the second time since their last title-winning season in 1987.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• The last three meetings between Wolves and Everton have ended as draws.

• All four of the goals Wolves have scored in the Premier League against Everton have been netted in the second half.

Wolves

• Wolves have won three and lost just one of their last five Premier League games at Molineux.

• According to Opta Stats, Wolves have the worst points-per-game record on a Saturday of current Premier League sides, winning an average of just 0.88 points a game.

• If selected, Matt Jarvis will be making the 250th appearance of his club career.

Everton

• Everton have kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 league games.

• They are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches, winning three and drawing two.

• Everton have seen more shots cleared off the line by defenders than any other team (12).

• According to Opta Stats, 29% of the goals conceded by Everton have been headers, the highest proportion of any team in the league.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Wolves

Doyle: 8 goals (5 league); Ebanks-Blake: 7 goals (7 league); Fletcher: 7 goals (5 league)

Everton

Saha: 10 goals (7 league); Cahill: 9 goals (9 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Phil Dowd

Assistant referees: Simon Long & Adam Watts

Fourth official: Neil Swarbrick

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Wolves (L1-4 v Newcastle, a): Hennessey, Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi (Ward 81), Hammill (Kightly 53), Henry, O'Hara, Milijas (Fletcher 30), Jarvis, Ebanks-Blake. Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Craddock, David Jones, Mancienne.

Everton (D2-2 v Aston Villa, h): Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin (Vellios 80), Baines, Coleman (Gueye 52), Neville, Heitinga, Osman, Bilyaletdinov, Beckford. Subs Not Used: Mucha, Mustafi, McAleny, Forshaw, Nsiala.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport