After picking up a much-needed 2-1 win over West Ham in the English Premier League at the weekend, Everton will look to move further up the table with a victory over Wigan.
Wigan, while putting up a decent performance against Arsenal, came away empty-handed and with the dangers of relegation looming large, the Latics will be desperate to take home all three points.
Everton are currently fifth on 30 points from 18 matches, and with fourth-placed Arsenal not playing on Boxing Day, owing to their match against West Ham being postponed, the Toffees could move up a place or two with a win. Wigan are currently 18th on 15 points.
"To get a win at the start of the schedule is important because you want to come out of the Christmas period no worse than you began, but if you can improve your league position over the course then that's great," Everton manager David Moyes said.
"We've got to try and pick up the points and it's an important time. I'm not saying you're looking at the finishing line, but when you get to January, you want to be in a good place if you can be."
Moyes knows Wigan will pose a tough challenge but is banking on home advantage to pull them through. "Folk think their league position is a guide but I don't think so," he added. "They play some good football and we'll need to be patient at home and make sure we do all the right things
"Roberto Martinez has done a really good job. He's got a good technical side and he's working really well with the players he has. They're a test for all teams. There's no gimmes in this league, whether you're at home or away, but we'll try and use our good form at Goodison to our advantage."
Wigan will welcome back Gary Caldwell, while Ivan Ramis and James McCarthy are doubts.
"Gary Caldwell will be close to full fitness to play against Everton but, we will have to assess James McCarthy and Ivan Ramis," Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said.
"Ivan and Gary have very similar characters in that they are so determined to come back and help the team. James has that desire too but, he worked extremely hard to be fit for the Arsenal game and so will be 50-50 ahead of Everton.
Everton will have Darron Gibson, who picked up a red card against West Ham, available as the Toffees chose to appeal the dismissal meaning the player can continue until the matter is heard. Marouane Fellaini, however, serves the second of his three-match suspension, while Seamus Coleman, Tony Hibbert and Kevin Mirallas are doubtful.
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Expected lineups: Everton: Howard; Heitinga, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Osman, Gibson, Neville, Pienaar; Jelavic; Anichebe.
Wigan: Al Habsi; Figueroa, Caldwell, Boyce; Beausejour, McArthur, McCarthy, Maloney, Stam; Di Santo, Kone.
Prediction: 2-1 to Everton
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