Everton threw away a lead to draw 2-2 against Tottenham in the last match, leaving them four points adrift of the Europa League spot. They are unbeaten in their last four, and host a QPR side with an almost-certainly insurmountable deficit of seven points to overhaul in order to survive relegation.
Everton vs. Queens Park Rangers: Preview and TV schedule
Everton should be able to continue their push for Europe with a victory against a QPR side which is already all but relegated.
Everton have been beaten only once at Goodison Park this season, with a home record that is only one point worse than Chelsea's, though the Hoops' recent record against Everton gives them some slight hope -- they haven't been beaten by the Toffees since 1995, with this season's reverse fixture ending in a 1-1 draw.
Everton will welcome back a couple of key first-team players from suspension in Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar, as if to pile yet more misery on QPR, who haven't won in their last three games. Ross Barkley and Johnny Heitinga are expected to drop to the bench to make way for their returning teammates. Tony Hibbert is a doubt, though that won't worry David Moyes too much.
QPR have Bobby Zamora out through suspension in the first of a three match ban for kicking the head of Wigan's Jordi Gómez last weekend, while Shaun Wright-Phillips and Samba Diakité are their only injury concerns in an otherwise healthy squad.
Everton injuries and suspensions
Out: None In doubt: Tony Hibbert (calf)
Queens Park Rangers injuries and suspensions
Out: Bobby Zamora (suspended) In doubt: Shaun Wright-Phillips (ankle), Samba Diakité (knock)
Match Date\Time: Saturday, 3 p.m. local, 10 a.m. ET
Venue: Goodison Park, Liverpool, England
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S.)
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