Garth Crooks
Former Spurs striker on Final Score

"Stoke City in 11th place have actually underachieved for the talent they have. Crystal Palace and Watford are above them and Stoke are better pound for pound than those teams."  

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender at St James' Park for Radio 5 live

I was at St James' Park on Boxing Day and Everton just about deserved the win at Newcastle. The thing for Roberto Martinez now is that he can change a game from the bench. He was able to bring on Leon Osman, Gerard Deulofeu and Muhamed Besic and still had Arouna Kone unused, with Phil Jagielka to come back.

At Newcastle Aaron Lennon and Kevin Mirallas played and this is probably the strongest squad Martinez has had at Goodison. But they have drawn a lot of games and they need to start winning, starting here.

Stoke had an outstanding result against Manchester United but away from home they don't get enough goals for me.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

The Star Wars theme tune rings around Goodison Park. Could either of these sides complete their own unthinkable mission and make the top four this season?

As the league currently stands, they are both just six points away.

As the players arrive in the tunnel, Gareth Barry stands alongside Ryan Shawcross. Stoke wear tracksuits, Everton are braving the cold and will emerge in just their strip.

Image source, Getty Images

Spirits are high at Goodison Park ahead of this one and why not? The Blues have tasted defeat just once in 10 games and that last-minute winner at Newcastle would give even the biggest Christmas humbug a lift.

A word of caution though, just three wins at home this season is hardly inspiring when a side who have kept eight clean sheets in 11 games turns up. Stoke are in their own upbeat mood. Something has to give.

Former Everton winger Ronny Goodlass on BBC Radio Merseyside:"I thought it would be one change, Deulofeu for Mirallas onto the bench. Mirallas isn't even on the bench. You cannot second-guess Roberto. That for me says we are playing well. When you're chopping and changing it can work against you but four changes, that has surprised me."

So how will the Everton changes take shape? Surely it's a surprise to see Tom Cleverley left out after his winner? And Brendan Galloway for Leighton Baines against Stoke's tricky front line?

Stoke meanwhile are proving exceptionally difficult to beat so no surprise Mark Hughes sticks to his formula.

Image source, Everton

Tom Cleverley's reward for his injury-time winner at Newcastle two days ago is to be dropped to the bench as James McCarthy returns from injury for Everton.

Three more changes see Brendan Galloway come in for Leighton Baines, Arouna Kone replace Kevin Mirallas and Gerard Deulofeu preferred to Aaron Lennon.

Stoke are unchanged from their win over Manchester United.

Everton XI: Howard, Galloway, Funes Mori, Stones, Coleman, Barry, McCarthy, Deulofeu, Kone, Barkley, Lukaku.

Stoke XI: Butland, Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters, Whelan, Cameron, Arnautovic, Afellay, Shaqiri, Bojan.

Not sure if you Everton fans got any of these in your Christmas stocking? They look a cracking buy.

Here's a question for you. Would you brave the post-Christmas sales in just these if I could guarantee you three points today?

Image source, Getty Images

Do these look like two men who dislike Christmas football?

Image source, Getty Images

Of course not. So let's not hear talk of fixture pile-ups and tired legs. Today we get to see two teams in very good form go at it. Grab the selection box and stay with me, I'll keep you abreast of team news and action.

As always, you can contact us on #bbcfootball.

Welcome to our live page for Everton v Stoke City. We’ll have text commentary here from 14:30 GMT. You can keep up to date with all the build-up to today’s games here.