Southampton vs. Everton: Premier League Preview, Team News and Projected Lineups

Everton travel to Southampton on Monday hoping to secure their first double of the season, having already secured a 3-1 win from the reverse fixture in September.

Three points off a Champions League berth, the Toffees will be hoping some favourable results over the weekend can reignite their challenge for fourth.

Southampton have been on a decent run themselves, unbeaten in five league games, but their form is overshadowed by the baffling decision to offload their manager, Nigel Adkins, on Friday (via The Independent).

In his place comes Mauricio Pochettino, formerly of Espanyol. A fine manager in his own right, but a newcomer to the English game.

As he settles in, he will be anxious of Everton's formidable record over his new charges. The Toffees are unbeaten in six against Southampton, winning five of the last nine.

Here's a look at some team news and some possible starting lineups.

Southampton Team News

Southampton have a relatively clean bill of health, although Jose Fonte has missed the last two fixtures having been ever present through the first 20 league games. 

His absence is likely to continue this weekend, along with the instrumental Adam Lallana, who remains some way off a first-team return (via the Daily Echo).

Rickie Lambert and Gaston Ramirez were rested against Chelsea, but should be in line to return, although Emmanuel Mayuka is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Zambia, and therefore won't feature.

With the Norwegian league finished in November, new arrival Vegard Forren will be short of match fitness, but may still appear on the bench.

Everton Team News

Tony Hibbert, Darron Gibson and Kevin Mirallas have remained on the sidelines for much of the season for the Toffees.

Of that trio, Mirallas seems the most likely to return, although Moyes has already mentioned this game may come slightly too early in the Belgian's recuperation (via EvertonFC.com).

Johnny Heitinga has also missed the past couple of games through injury and seems in the same boat as Mirallas, with this game perhaps coming a week too soon.

Leighton Baines' ankle issue will continue to be monitored, but he should be able to solder through.

Projected Lineups

Southampton (4-2-3-1)

Artur Boruc; Nathaniel Clyne, Maya Yoshida, Jos Hooiveld, Luke Shaw; Morgan Schneiderlin, Jack Cork; Jason Puncheon, Gaston Ramirez, Jay Rodriguez; Rickie Lambert.

Gauging a new manager's thoughts is never a simple task. 

Mauricio Pochettino won't have had long to assess his new subjects and may well implement a similar style and selection as Southampton's last game, at Chelsea.

The back five is likely to stay the same, and two of Schneiderlin, Cork and Steven Davis should remain in midfield.

Lambert and Ramirez will presumably return in attacking roles, possibly in place of Davis and Guly do Prado. That would then allow the Saints to adopt a familiar 4-2-3-1 approach, with a fluid line of three behind the striker.

Everton (4-4-1-1)

Tim Howard; Seamus Coleman, Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin, Leighton Baines; Victor Anichebe, Phil Neville, Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar; Marouane Fellaini; Nikica Jelavic.

Behind a strong Everton first XI, there are few players on the periphery pressing for inclusion. 

With Mirallas, Gibson and Hibbert still missing, Bryan Oviedo is the only player who may enter David Moyes' thinking, as the Costa Rican enjoyed an impressive recent outing for Everton's second string.

The main issue for Moyes will be whether to continue with Anichebe in a wider berth or possibly opt for Oviedo, or perhaps even Steven Naismith, back on the right.

If he sticks with the Nigerian, barring any late injuries, the Toffees are unlikely to change their personnel.

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