Everton's Conor McAleny (center) is challenged by FC Krasnodar players. (Photo : Reuters)
Southampton FC is set to host Everton FC at the St. Mary's Stadium on August 15, as the 2015-2016 English Premier League season carries on. Both teams are coming off tied games in their respective openers and are eager to target their first win of the new season.
The Saints settled for a 2-2 draw on the road with Newcastle United during the league's opening weekend, via Chronicle Live. Forward Graziano Pellè and Shane Long provided the goals for Ronald Koeman's side, but their defense have also allowed the Magpies' Papiss Cissé and Georginio Wijnaldum to cancel things out.
Southampton drew first blood with Pellè's opener in the 24th-minute, but Cissé answered right before the first half ended. New acquisition Wijnaldum scored again in the 48th to give the lead to Newcastle, but Long equalized it in the 79th mark to hold on for the tie.
Everton was also involved in a 2-2 draw, this time with newly-promoted Premier League club Watford FC, as per SkySports.
The Toffees are the favorites to give the Hornets a rousing welcome in England's primary football competitions, but they were held to a standstill as Watford defender Miguel Layún scored early at the 14th-minute mark.
However, Roberto Martínez's team had the advantage at home so they were able to claw back late with a drive from midfielder Ross Barkley in the 76th-minute to equalize. Each team scored a goal each afterward to end up equal at the final whistle.
Prediction: Tough to call but The Toffees would be squeaking out a 1-0 win over the Saints on the road on Saturday. There is also a possibility of ending up tied again as the two teams struggle to find their rhythm early in the season.
Southampton starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Stekelenburg; Fonte, Soares, Yoshida, Targett; Rodriguez, Wanyama; Tadic, Mané, Davis; Pellè
Everton starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Howard; Coleman, Stones, Galloway, Jagielka; Cleverley, McCarthy; Barkley, Barry, Mirallas; Lukaku
