Everton and Arsenal could both have new managers in charge by the time they meet at Goodison Park in Saturday's early Premier League kick-off.
Mikel Arteta is closing in on a three-and-a-half year deal to become Arsenal's next permanent boss, but Freddie Ljungberg is still expected to be on the touchline as interim coach given how little time Arteta will have to prepare.
As for Everton, the Toffees are closing in on appointing Carlo Ancelotti - though like Arsenal, the game should come too soon for the Italian to be in the dugout.
That means Duncan Ferguson will be looking to take his unbeaten League record as caretaker manager to three games after beating Chelsea and drawing at Manchester United - and given Arsenal's defensive woes, the hosts will be confident of a result.
Premier League preview
Everton vs Arsenal
Venue: Goodison Park
Date: Saturday, 21 December, 2019
Kick-off time: 12:30pm GMT
Match prediction: Everton 2-2 Arsenal
Everton have shown of late that they are more than capable of troubling the bigger sides in the division, taking four points off Chelsea and Manchester United this month.
The Toffees have had a woeful season, but seem to lift themselves for big games - and Arsenal will have to be wary. The Gunners are more than capable of leaving Goodison with three points, but cannot afford the same defensive lapses they have shown time and again.
Betting tips and odds via Betfair exchange
Match odds
- Everton to win: 6/4
- Draw: 14/5
- Arsenal to win: 2/1
| Scoreline | Everton win | Arsenal win | Draw |
| 1-0 | 12/1 | 13/1 | 14/1 | 15/1 | 0-0 (19/1) |
| 2-0 | 15/1 | 20/1 | 1-1 (7/1) |
| 2-1 | 9/1 | 10/1 | 11/1 | 2-2 (11/1 | 12/1) |
| 3-0 | 25/1 | 33/1 |
Odds provided by Betfair Exchange. Click here to place a bet. Odds correct as of December 19.
Tickets
Everton home tickets are currently sold out.
For more information on away tickets, click here for Arsenal's official website
Team news and predicted lineups
Arsenal
Kieran Tierney is out with a dislocated shoulder for the next three months, while Sead Kolasinac's ankle injury leaves Ljungberg short at left-back.
Bukayo Saka could be deployed on the left flank again - even if the position is not to his liking - and Everton will no doubt target the youngster if that is the case.
Granit Xhaka (concussion) remains out, Mesut Ozil has a bruised foot and is a doubt, though Rob Holding (knee), Dani Ceballos and Hector Bellerin (both thigh) are in with a chance of returning.
Possible Arsenal lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Sokratis, Saka; Guendouzi, Torreira; Pepe, Willock, Martinelli; Aubameyang
Possible Everton lineup (4-4-2): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Mina, Baines; Iwobi, Davies, Holgate, Bernard; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin
TV channel/live stream details
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate. BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.
You can follow all the action on our LIVE match blog with Simon Collings at Goodison Park.
Head to head (H2H) results history
Arsenal dominate Premier League results against Everton with 33 wins to the Toffees' eight, along with 13 draws.
However, Everton edged their last meeting with a 1-0 win at Goodison in April courtesy of a Phil Jagielka goal.
We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Evening Standard.
