Premier League: Arsenal v Everton match preview

A look ahead to tonight's Premier League fixture at the Emirates

Always there for Everton: David Moyes with Leighton Baines and Leon Osman (Getty Images)

This match represents an opportunity for both teams to take a big step toward's European qualification, with Everton casting their gaze up the table and Arsenal looking to keep local rivals Tottenham at arm’s length, with the north London sides separated by a point.

For David Moyes a win would offer a fillip to his ambitious charges. "If we beat Arsenal, you would talk about Everton having a real chance of getting into the Champions League,” the manager said.

“If we lose, you might talk about Everton having a chance of getting into the Europa League. That is what it is coming down to. The games are whittling away and it is getting much tighter. To have a chance of reaching the Champions League, we have to go there and attempt to win the game."

Time is running out and both sides will want to accrue as many points as possible before meeting their respective nemeses, with Arsenal meeting Manchester United at the end of April and Everton facing Liverpool at the start of May. By that stage it could be too late. In the former case, Arsenal’s hopes of Champions League football could be damaged. In the latter case, Everton could see the gap between them and their Merseyside rivals shortened and Europa football a consolation.

KICK-OFF: Tueday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Everton 1 (Fellaini)  Arsenal 1 (Walcott), Premier League, November 2012

Everton 0 Arsenal 1 (Vermaelen), Premier League, March 2012

Arsenal 1 (Van Persie) Everton 0, Premier League, December 2011

STATS…

Arsenal have won four matches in a row in the Premier League, scoring seven goals in their last two home games.

Arsenal have scored 18 goals in the last 15 minutes of games this season, more than any other side.

In the league, Arsenal have beaten Everton once for every minute of a match. Compared to those 90 wins, Everton have only triumphed 54 times.

Leighton Baines has created over 100 goal scoring opportunities this season, more than any other player in Europe’s top division.

ODDS…

Arsenal to win: 1.87

Everton to win: 4.6

Draw: 3.95

CLASSIC MATCH...

In 2005 Arsenal ran riot  in this fixture, scoring seven unanswered goals at Highbury. Van Persie, Vieira, Edu, Bergkamp and Flamini all got on the score sheet while Robert Pires helped himself to a brace. Despite the thumping, Everton still managed to finish fourth in the table, their best ever placing in the Premier League.

TV: Live on Sky Sports 2 at 7.45pm