Hello all! Another weekend of Premier League action is upon us! This afternoon we have eight fixtures in the calendar today, and right here, we will be focusing on the clash between Stoke City and Everton at the Britannia Stadium.

A few weeks ago, Stoke were impressing everyone by earning victories over Manchester United and Everton, but since their 3-1 victory over Norwich, they have drawn a blank against Arsenal and were beaten 3-0 by both Leicester City and in the reverse fixture against United. Mark Hughes and his team will be hoping for a much-needed win this afternoon if they want to keep up their pursuit of a European spot.

As for Everton, they have been boosted by Wednesday's 3-0 triumph over Newcastle United, but before that they went five games without a win, losing two and recording three draws. The Merseyside outfit's hopes of qualifying in the European positions have taken a hit, so a win can put Roberto Martinez's side back on track.

Now, who will be lining up at the Britannia today? Let's take a look at the starting XIs...

STOKE XI: Butland; Johnson, Wollscheid, Muniesa, Pieters; Whelan, Imbula; Shaqiri, Afellay, Arnautovic; Diouf
Subs: Haugaard, Bardsley, Ireland, Odemwingie, Joselu, Crouch, Bojan

EVERTON XI: Joel; Oviedo, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Coleman; Barry, McCarthy; Cleverley, Barkley, Lennon; Lukaku
Subs: Stanek, Baines, Kone, Mirallas, Deulofeu, Osman, Pienaar

The big news for Stoke is that club-record signing Giannelli Imbula will make his debut for the Potters this afternoon! The defensive midfielder's inclusion is one of three changes to the side that were beaten 3-0 by Manchester United on Tuesday night. Xherdan Shaqiri comes into the fold, as does Mame Biram Diouf. The players to miss out are Bojan, Peter Crouch and Jonathan Walters, who is not in the squad this afternoon.

Club record signing Giannelli Imbula handed his debut by Mark Hughes. Xherdan Shaqiri & Mame Diouf also return #SCFC pic.twitter.com/y8WhpSL5ZF

— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) February 6, 2016

Unfortunately Everton fans, if you were hoping to see deadline-day signing Oumar Niasse, you will be disappointed! It seems as though the striker, who joined from Lokomotiv Moscow last week, is yet to receive his visa as he is not in the squad at all today. Roberto Martinez has opted to keep the same XI that earned a 3-0 win over Newcastle in midweek.

Romelu Lukaku was taken off before the second half of the game against the Magpies with a back complaint, but the good news is that the striker is fit to start this afternoon. The travelling supporters may see a cameo from Kevin Mirallas later on as he has been named on the bench.

Team news! It's the same XI as Wednesday's win - Mirallas makes the bench. #STOvEFC pic.twitter.com/Fcni19KFNr — Everton (@Everton) February 6, 2016

As mentioned, Hughes has given his club-record signing Giannelli Imbula his debut. The former France Under-21 international joined the Potters on deadline day last month for an £18.3m fee. So, what do we know about Imbula? Well, the 23-year-old defensive midfielder began his career in Guingamp in 2009 and went on to be named Ligue 2's Player of the Season for the 2012-13 campaign. Imbula also tasted top-flight French football and Champions League football while at Marseille, and eventually moved to Porto, but only for half a season as he opted to move to the Potteries on Monday.

Peter Crouch may be on the bench today, but if he gets on the pitch the striker will make his 400th Premier League appearance and he is the 25th Englishman to reach that feat. The striker can definitely not be described as a one-man club as he has signed for seven different outfits in his career. Unfortunately for the forward, he has dropped out of England contention in recent years and he is struggling for game time at club level. However, reaching 400 top-flight appearances is a big achievement.

All Stoke fans will know that the last few weeks have not been the most enjoyable. The Potters are experiencing their worst run of the season having lost four games in a row in all competitions. As well as defeats to Leicester and Manchester United in the league, they also failed to reach the Capital One Cup final following a penalty-shootout loss to Liverpool in the semis and they were beaten by Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The results have been difficult to accept for Stoke, but so has the manner in which they have come about. The team has not found the back of the net in any of their last three Premier League matches. If they do the same today, then it would be the first time since March 1985 that they have have gone four league games in a row without scoring. Their previous barren run consisted of eight games without a goal.

The comfort that they can take, though, is that they have a home crowd backing them this afternoon. Stoke have won five of their last nine league fixtures at home. They lost two of them and drew the rest. They will need all of their players in decent form this afternoon, and given that they were undone by an impressive United on Tuesday night, they may feel as though they have a point to prove.

Earlier this week, Hughes told Stoke City Player: "It seems a long time ago since we've had a home game and it will be good to get back to the Britannia Stadium. We've come through a very tough period, particularly after the Liverpool game, so we're all desperate to get back on track and start winning again.

"Everton will be tough, they're a good team and they're a really accomplished side when you look at the talent they've got.

"For whatever reason their away form seems better that their home form, but our record against them in recent seasons is very good.

"We did the double last year and we have the opportunity to do that again this year so we look forward to hopefully achieving that."

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Stoke have clearly shown in the transfer market that they are serious buyers given that they have smashed their transfer record inside one year, but one deal that a lot of fans will be concerned about is regarding one of the players that they already have. Marko Arnautovic, who is the club's leading scorer with eight goals, is yet to sign a new contract at the Britannia. It has been reported that the Austrian's current deal will trigger a £12.5m release clause should it not be extended by the end of the season.

Hughes tried to calm talk of a potential summer exit for Arnautovic earlier this week by telling reporters: "From my point of view it's clear that we want Marko to stay here and I think he's best served staying here. What he gets here he probably hasn't got from other places he has been at in terms of encouragement and the opportunity to evolve and develop as a player.

"He's obviously going to get a lot of interest because he's a good player, but sometimes you've got to look beyond that. If you do make a decision to leave, you've got to understand what you are giving up. He's an intelligent boy. We are still negotiating and I'm quite comfortable with where we are with it.

"It's ongoing and will continue to be I'm sure, maybe up until the summer - if so, so be it. We still think we have something we can offer him he will be delighted with."

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Right, let's turn our attention to Everton, now shall we? Before we begin discussing form etc, let's remind ourselves that manager Roberto Martinez actually has some time off and does normal activities that people like to do, such as go to concerts. Does he dance, though? You bet he does! Watch this...

Just filmed #EFC Manager #Martinez throwing shapes at @jasonderulo in Manchester pic.twitter.com/KD5XCUErvV — ✨✨✨LFCKLOPPVIEW✨✨✨ (@LFCKOPVIEW) February 4, 2016

Don't start thinking that there was a Martinez imposter at the Jason Derulo gig in Liverpool. It's really him! He admitted as much in his weekly press conference on Friday. Looks like the Spaniard's a bit of a mover! Anyway, back to the important stuff...

So, Everton were celebrating a deserved 3-0 win over Newcastle in mid-week, but it has not been plain sailing for the Toffees. They have only managed to win two of their last 11 Premier League matches and interestingly both of those were against the Magpies. They put in a decent performance on Wednesday and most believe that they should be higher than 11th in the league given the squad that they have.

One player who impressed in midweek was Ross Barkley. The England international scored from the penalty spot twice, which brought him up to eight Premier League goals this season, which is the most that he has scored in any top-flight campaign so far. Martinez revealed on Friday that the club intends to offer Barkley a new contract, despite the midfielder having more than two years left on his current one.

When asked about the contract situation, Martinez told reporters: "We will probably look at it in the summer. As I've said before, Ross is not a young man any more. He's a player you can build a project on.

"When you want to build a project it is about a player who wants to play for Everton and wants to take that role. It is one thing as a manager wanting to do something, if the player doesn't feel the same way then you cannot do it.

"But at the moment we have to concentrate on what we can achieve from now until the end of the season. What you are going to do in the final 12 games of the season will allow you to have a real strong ending, and that's where the focus is. The FA Cup is another real strong focus for us, and the role of Ross Barkley will be vital to what we can achieve."

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In terms of results, Everton have been fairly decent on the road having lost just one of their last 12 Premier League games on the road, but seven of them ended in a draw. In fact, Everton have drawn two more games that any other team in the top flight.

HEAD TO HEAD: The last meeting between these two sides was a high-scoring one as it finished 4-3 in Stoke's favour at Goodison Park on December 28. Recent matches between the two sides have worked out well for the Potters as they have won three league matches in a row. Interestingly the last goal in three of the last four league games between the two has been a penalty, and that penalty in those matches changed the result. So, will we see the same today? There's not long to find out!

PREDICTION: How do you see this one turning out? Well, both clubs are in need of a decent run as neither have been able to string a few wins together for a couple of weeks. Given that Everton have been shaky in defence, Stoke will feel that they can get on the scoresheet, and with Ross Barkley in the form that he is, Everton will feel that they can nab a few strikes as well. I wouldn't be surprised if this game ended in a score draw. Let's go for 2-2.

Both sets of teams are making their way out onto the pitch at a wet and windy Britannia Stadium. How often do we hear that?! Kickoff is moments away.

KICKOFF! The home side get us underway, kicking from left to right.

Imbula gets his first touch in the middle of the park and the fans give a huge roar when he does so. They will be hoping that he can make an early impact in his Stoke career.

Shaqiri breaks away from two Everton defenders on the right before swinging the ball into the box, but it fails to reach Diouf and Coleman comfortably clears from inside the far post.

Granted we're only four minutes in, but Everton are yet to get a passage of play together. Stoke spread it wide and Arnautovic brings the ball in field, but Everton close down well and force a throw-in.

Everton launch their first attack as Oviedo storms into the box and goes for goal with a left-footed sweeping shot, but Whelan turns it behind for a corner.

CHANCE! The ball swings in from the corner flag from Cleverley and finds Funes Mori who manages to pull away from Wollschied and get into space. The defender directs a header towards goal, but it's deflected off Pieters. The visitors should be given another corner, but referee Andre Marriner awards a goal kick.

Johnson wriggles away from Oviedo and plays the ball forward for Shaqiri, but the pass is overhit slightly and a touch is taken before it goes out for a corner, which comes to nothing for the hosts.

Everton go for the long-ball approach searching for Lukaku, but the striker is unable to chase it down and the ball bobbles back to goalkeeper Butland.

Some lovely skill from Barkley as he back-heels the ball to Oviedo, who then plays in Cleverley. The midfielder continues his run and as he does, Butland comes off his line and brings down his opponent. No arguments here!

Lukaku gets his 20th goal of the season as he hammers the ball into the back of the net from the spot. Never in doubt!

The problem for Stoke is that there is plenty of space in central areas. This could be down to Imbula's lack of English so communication is not a strength between Stoke's midfield at the moment. They need to find a way back otherwise they are in danger of suffering their fifth consecutive defeat.

Imbula nicks back possession in the middle of the park and Stoke try to find a way through, but Everton are sitting deep and holding their positions well.

Johnson gets some space on the right and whips in a cross, but it's behind his teammates and Everton easily clear. The Potters have rarely looked threatening in these early stages of the game.

Muniesa is being ordered off the field to get some treatment as he is bleeding from a cut under his left eye. He should be find enough to continue, though.

Barkley is looking as sharp as he did against Newcastle in midweek. The midfielder sends the ball through behind Stoke's defence, but Whelan does well to intercept.

Stoke are seeing plenty of the ball at the moment, but they're not causing any real trouble. Diouf has been very quiet so far and Everton seem content sitting back for a while and playing on the counter attack as they have their one-goal cushion.

Boos ring around the stadium from the home fans as the referee blows up for a foul on Coleman. It's Diouf who gets penalised and the supporters aren't happy, but it was the right call from the match official.

Stoke get some luck as Everton lose the ball in their own half. Diouf tries to capitalise and passes wide to Shaqiri, who gets closed down and the visiting side win back the ball.

Jagielka goes to ground holding his hand after clashing with Diouf while defending Shaqiri's cross into the box, but the Everton centre-back gets to his feet swiftly and is fine to continue.

Everton are cruising! The Toffees double their lead from a set piece. Cleverley swings the ball in from the corner flag and Coleman charges from one end of the six-yard box to the other unopposed and heads the ball past Butland and into the net. Great from Everton, but poor defending from the hosts!

Stoke try to respond as the ball is crossed into the box searching for Diouf, who is on his own. The forward gets a head on the ball, but his effort fails to trouble Joel and his effort goes over the crossbar.

There's some concern for Everton as McCarthy receives treatment. We're not quite certain what the problem is, but he manages to rise to his feet before trudging to the sideline to seek further treatment.

Oh dear, Barry is now on the ground! The midfielder is wincing as he holds his left arm. The Everton medical staff are quickly on the pitch. It seems as though the Everton player got caught by Diouf, but it was very minimal. It doesn't look like he will be able to continue.

Okay, I was wrong. Barry is deemed well enough to continue as he is back on the pitch. The last few minutes have been rather scrappy, with neither posing a threat as we edge closer to the half-time whistle.

Imbula tries to make an impact on his debut by going for goal with a long-range effort, but his attempt misses the target by miles! It doesn't help that it is a very windy day at the Britannia.

It's far too easy for Everton! A silly lofty pass from Wollschied across his back four falls to Lennon, who uses his quick feet to storm into the area, only needing to beat Butland, and he does just that! The winger slots the ball into the bottom right corner. Plain sailing for the away side!

CHANCE! Joel is tested slightly for the first time in this half. Shaqiri plays in Diouf on the left who hits a short pass to Arnautovic in the box, but the Austrian sends the ball into the hands of the keeper.

The fourth official indicates that there will be five minutes of added time. That must be down to the injury stoppages. It's worth noting that Barkley went off the pitch to seek treatment on what we believe was a nose bleed.

It's the same old story of this half for Stoke as they struggle to break down Everton, who look solid in their own half. It's not quite happening for the Potters and they already have a mountain to climb to get anything out of this game.

It's been a very comfortable first half for Everton as they head into the interval with a 3-0 lead. Romelu Lukaku scored his 20th strike of the campaign in all competitions by netting from the penalty spot. Tom Cleverley won the penalty for Everton after getting brought down by goalkeeper Jack Butland in the box. Stoke struggled to find a way through in response and the visitors eventually doubled their lead thanks to a header from Seamus Coleman. Aaron Lennon made it worse for his opponents as he added a third on the 42nd minute. Stoke have plenty to do in the second half. We'll be back for the rest of the action shortly!

RESTART! Everton get the second half underway! Can Stoke get themselves back into this game or will the Toffees cause an onslaught?

It's worth noting that neither manager has made changes to the team at half time.

Shaqiri drifts inside and finds some space in the middle of the area. The Switzerland international unleashes a low drive, but it misses the target and bobbles behind for a goal kick.

CHANCE! Stoke have started with some purpose in this second half! Afellay drives a shot towards goal from an acute angle, but Oviedo does well to intercept. The rebound was on course to fall into Diouf's path, but the keeper manages to prevent a shot.

CLOSE! Barkley comes achingly close to earning Everton's fourth goal of the game! The midfielder drives into the area on the left-hand side and plays a lovely one-two with Lukaku before powering a shot at goal, but it hits the side-netting. The England international could have easily gone down for a penalty after getting a tug on his shirt, but he stayed on his feet.

What a great ball from Pieters! The Stoke man swings it into the box - both Shaqiri and Diouf are tracking the ball, but they get into a jumble and the ball bounces ahead of them and out of play.

Pieters tries another cross as he drifts the ball into the area, but the wind plays a part with this one as the flight of the ball is too high and it falls on the roof of the net.

Some decent movement from Stoke creates a half-chance as Imbula plays the ball forward for Arnautovic, but it doesn't look like the Austrian was expecting it as he fails to connect and the ball bobbles out for a goal kick.

SAVE! What an opportunity for Everton! Barkley whips the ball into the box looking for Lukaku, who looks to head the ball into the net from close range, but Butland reacts well to push the ball onto the crossbar.

BOOKING! Diouf is the first player on the pitch to get cautioned after committing a foul close to the corner flag on the right-hand side of his own half.

STOKE SUBS: Hughes makes a double change as Afellay makes way for Ireland and Shaqiri comes off and is replaced with Odemwingie. It doesn't seem like the fans are happy with Shaqiri's sub! There are a few boos when the change is announced.

SAVE! Butland is called on again! It's great work from Lennon as he breaks away from two Stoke players to drive to the byline and cut inside before cutting the ball back to Lukaku. Muniesa manages to block, but Lukaku eventually gets a stab at it. Butland is there, though, to make the stop.

Muniesa is under pressure from Lukaku, but the defender does well to get the ball back to his keeper. Everton are hunting for a fourth!

SHOT! Some lovely build-up play from Everton as Lukaku shows his strength to hold the ball up in the box before laying it off to McCarthy. The Irishman unleashes a powerful shot from the corner of the area, but he misses the target.

SAVE! At the other end, Johnson tries to get Stoke back in the game by cutting inside and hitting a strike at goal, but Joel manages to punch clear.

Great defending from Funes Mori! Stoke have a decent spell in Everton's half and the ball is eventually taken by Ireland, who moves into the box before playing a short pass across to Imbula, who goes for goal, but Funes Mori dives across his man to make the tackle.

Lukaku shows his strength once again as he brushes off the presence of Muniesa after collecting the ball from Cleverley's long pass. The move comes to nothing for the visitors, though.

EVERTON SUB: Martinez makes his first change of the game as goalscorer Lukaku makes way for Kone, who makes his 50th appearances for Everton.

STOKE SUB: Hughes makes his final change as Arnautovic is replaced with Joselu.

SAVE! The away side come close again to adding a fourth as Barkley's perfect flick plays in Kone, but the striker misdirects his shot and the chance goes begging.

MISS! Oh dear, how did he miss that?! Funes Mori is unmarked at the back post when he receives the ball from a corner, but somehow his header goes wide.

Imbula has got more into this game as it has gone on. The midfielder plays the ball into Ireland's feet, and the Irishman crosses into the box, but it's cleared by Jagielka.

Some rare sloppy play from Everton as McCarthy plays a loose ball, which Joselu laches on to. The substitute passes to Diouf, whose cross gets blocked by Jagielka.

EVERTON SUB: It's been another great game for Barkley, but it's the end of his afternoon as he makes way for Mirallas.

EVERTON SUB: The visitors are winding the clock down as McCarthy comes off and is replaced with Osman.

It's two 3-0 wins for Everton in one week. Roberto Martinez's side fully deserved their victory, which was earned thanks to goals from Romelu Lukaku, Seamus Coleman and Aaron Lennon. It was a disappointing display from Stoke, who have now lost five games on the bounce. Back to the drawing board for Mark Hughes and his men, but it's a door day for Everton as they move up to seventh in the table. The Potters drop down to 11th. Thanks for joining us and until next time, goodbye!