Everton v West Ham United Saturday, May 16, 3pm Goodison Park WEST HAM must surely beat Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday if they are to have any chance of making that seventh spot in the Premier League. But David Moyes dour, but effective side will p

Everton v West Ham United

Saturday, May 16, 3pm

Goodison Park

WEST HAM must surely beat Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday if they are to have any chance of making that seventh spot in the Premier League.

But David Moyes' dour, but effective side will provide a tough test for a Hammers outfit who are desperate for the return of striker Carlton Cole and midfielder Scott Parker.

This may be an opportune time to take on the Toffees though. They have already booked a place in the Europa League for next season, and of course, they have the little matter of the FA Cup Final later in the month to distract them.

The Blues have only one win in their last five games and West Ham will be keen to stretch that poor run.

Injuries have blighted Ever-ton's season and they have succeeded despite of that.

Yakubu, Victor Anichebe, Mikel Arteta and more recently Phil Jagielka have all been ruled out for the season, but the Blues mix of youngsters and experienced pros have kept them in the higher reaches of the division.

Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini were the big signings of last summer and they have had mixed seasons, while in January, Moyes only move was to bring Brazilian Jo on loan from Manchester City.

Fellaini has grabbed nine goals this season, matched by the ever-dependable midfielder Tim Cahill, and they could prove the danger men at Goodison on Saturday.

Saha scored two at Upton Park earlier in the season, when Everton came from behind with three goals in the last 10 minutes, and he will be looking to add to that tally on Saturday, though Jo may get the nod ahead of him.

Everton have actually lost more at home than away this term, though West Ham's record at Goodison Park is nothing to write home about.

The Hammers came from behind with an own goal and a winner from Bobby Zamora back in 2005, but you have to go way back to 1994 for a previous win, with 5-0 and 6-0 drubbings included in between.

Everton may have one eye on the FA Cup, but manager Moyes is too shrewd and too strict to allow their minds to wander, and he will be battling to grab that fifth place from fast-fading Villa.

West Ham will be a match for them if Cole returns fit and raring to go, but that could be a little too much to expect of the big man and Everton may have just too much power on the day.

Probable team: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Osman, Rodwell, Cahill, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jo.

Prediction:

Everton 2 West Ham 1