Stoke v Everton preview: Mark Hughes eyeing three wins on the spin

Stoke are in the midst of a winning run

Stoke will be hunting a third Premier League win a row when they host Everton on Wednesday night.

Mark Hughes’ side saw off Hull City 1-0 on Saturday, following up their dogged 2-1 win at Aston Villa from the previous weekend.

Peter Crouch came off the bench to score the winner against Hull and equal Alan Shearer's record of headed goals (46) in the Premier League.

They are yet to string together three wins on the bounce this season, but will be confident of recording a victory against Everton having won the corresponding fixture 1-0 earlier this season.

Roberto Martinez’s men are still struggling to put a positive run of results together in the Premier League and are still just six points off the relegation zone despite being in the last-16 of the Europa League.

Everton have conceded the same number of goals so far this season as they did in the whole of 2013-14 campaign and were easily brushed aside 2-0 by Arsenal at the weekend.

Team news

Leighton Baines faces a fitness test

Everton defender Leighton Baines faces a late fitness test ahead of the trip. 

The England international has missed the last two matches with a thigh injury and will be assessed to see whether he is ready to return.

Midfielder Christian Atsu, who missed Sunday's defeat at Arsenal with a virus, will not resume training until Friday.

Stoke midfielder Stephen Ireland is set to miss out after requiring stitches to a calf wound suffered against Hull.

Peter Crouch has scored 46 headed Premier League goals

Stats

Stoke are unbeaten in five home league meetings with Everton, though four have ended level (W1). The last three meetings with the Toffees at the Britannia Stadium have ended 1-1.

The Toffees have only mustered three goals in their last five trips to the Britannia Stadium in the Premier League.

Everton have dropped more points (17) from winning positions in the Premier League than any other team in the top flight this season.

Everton have conceded fewer fouls than any other team in the Premier League (263).

"Everton pass it around a bit too much for me under Roberto Martinez this season - it’s got to go forward more, especially with Romelu Lukaku up front."
Paul Merson

Stoke have lost just three of their last 13 league matches (W7 D3 L3) and those defeats came against three of the current top four in the league.

Merson’s prediction

Everton are struggling, and I never go against Stoke at home. They’re such a hard team to beat and I thought Everton kept possession well against Arsenal but didn’t have that cutting edge.

They pass it around a bit too much for me under Roberto Martinez this season - it’s got to go forward more, especially with Romelu Lukaku up front. They have the makings of a good team with those players, but hard-to-beat teams are easily able to adapt. I'm not sure Everton have that quality.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0