Everton vs. Swansea: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

High-flyers Everton take on a Swansea side desperate for points at Goodison Park on Saturday.

The Merseysiders know a win will take them into fifth place, for 24 hours at least, and Roberto Martinez will certainly be glad of home comforts.

Per WhoScored.com, the Toffees have won their last four at home, including against Saturday's opponents in the FA Cup, but lost their last four away. 

Garry Monk will be hoping his Swansea side can improve on a disastrous recent run that has seen them fail to win their last eight away from home.

Talisman Jonjo Shelvey remains doubtful for a return to Merseyside, but Chico Flores is available again after suspension and may well take the place of the less combative Jordi Amat in the centre of defence.

Date: Saturday March 22

Time: 3 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET

Live Stream/TV Info: NBC Premier League Extra Time/NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)

Key Storylines

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

No win in the last six, and only two Premier League wins since the beginning of December for Monk's side, per WhoScored, tells its own story.

Key to any success for the away side will be the movement and prowess in front of goal from Wilfried Bony.

Nine goals and two assists from his 25 appearances would give the impression of a poor ratio from the main front man; however, seven have been substitute appearances, which puts a slightly different perspective on his figures.

Bony is a workhorse who will keep at it for the full 90 minutes, often ploughing a lone furrow up front, and more of the same will be required as he works the lines in between a protective Gareth Barry and Sylvain Distin.

Despite his advancing years, the Frenchman still presents a "brick wall" approach to defending, and part of Everton's renaissance can be attributes to Distin's excellence in the central areas.

Where Swansea could perhaps undo the home side is if Michu is restored to the starting line-up.

The Spaniard has suffered dreadfully in his second season in English football, but he is still a threat up front. More than able to handle the physicality of the Everton back line, he represents a useful foil for the trickery of Bony.

Ominously for the visitors, both Gerard Deulofeu on the right side of Everton's attack and imposing centre-forward Romelu Lukaku are enjoying a fine period of form.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

The young Catalan, on-loan from Barcelona, has been the catalyst for many of the attacks from Roberto Martinez's men, and the manager was more than happy to see him return recently from injury, per an interview with the Liverpool Echo via Dominic King of the Daily Mail:

"

He’s excited about playing. He’s been suffering away from Finch Farm watching the games.

I can guarantee the fans they will see a very different Gerard Deulofeu and someone who is ready to be very important.

"

Deulofeu is not only ready to fire the bullets, but he continues to provide a wonderful outlet.

His 94 percent pass accuracy in the last game, per WhoScored, was only bettered by Seamus Coleman, who is developing a wonderful understanding with the youngster down the right-hand channel.

Lukaku has quickly returned to his fearsome self after his own injury concerns.

Two goals in his last three, per WhoScored, and a couple of outstanding all-round performances has served notice on the rest of the Premier League as we look forward to an important last few games.

EPL Index have him as one of the Premier League's best under-21 players:

Given the right service from Deulofeu and Leon Osman on the opposite flank, there is no reason why the young Belgian cannot be Martinez's talisman in the final few matches and help fire the Toffees into a European place.

With two teams that like to play football going head-to-head, this is likely to be a game for the purist.

Jonathan De Guzman and Leon Britton are as adept as anyone on the pitch and stroking the ball around, and if Swansea can get their passing game going in the opening exchanges, there is no reason why they can't strike an early blow.

In much the same way as they did in the FA Cup fixture a month ago, when De Guzman brought the fixture to life in the 15th minute.

It took well over half the game for Everton to get back on terms in that one, and if the away team can apply themselves correctly once more, a positive result may not be beyond them.