West Bromwich Albion v Everton [Premier League]

TEAM NEWS

New West Brom head coach Pepe Mel faces a potential striker shortage for his first game in charge on Monday.

Victor Anichebe and Stephane Sessegnon are both injury doubts and Shane Long has joined Hull.

Everton defender Sylvain Distin is likely to be available after a three-match absence with a hamstring strain.

New signing Aiden McGeady could make his debut, but defender Antolin Alcaraz and midfielder Ross Barkley are still on the sidelines.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

The reverse fixture in August ended goalless, with Everton twice hitting the woodwork and West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster producing an inspired performance to deny Roberto Martinez a first victory as Everton manager.
It is 30 years since this fixture ended in a draw at The Hawthorns. West Brom have won five and lost four of the subsequent nine league meetings at home.

West Brom

West Brom's defeat by Southampton last Saturday ended their four-match unbeaten league run since Steve Clarke was sacked (W1, D3).
However, they have won only one of their last 12 matches in all competitions, a 1-0 home victory against Newcastle.
Albion are 12 points and seven places worse off than at the same stage of last season.
They have only taken 37 points from 40 games since Boxing Day 2012, losing 19 times.
Nicolas Anelka has scored eight league goals against Everton, spanning five different clubs. He can become the first player to score against the same Premier League team with six different clubs.
Gareth McAuley and Liam Ridgewell are poised to make their 350th and 300th league appearances respectively.

Everton

Everton's tally of 41 points is their highest after 21 games of a season since 1978-79 (44, based on three points for a win).
Roberto Martinez has won 11 Premier League matches this season - equalling his previous best managerial tally in a season, set with Wigan in 2011-12.
The Toffees have only conceded 19 goals in their 21 Premier League matches, the joint-best record in the division prior to the latest round of fixtures.
Everton's leading goalscorer Romelu Lukaku has only managed one goal in his last eight appearances.