Two teams unbeaten in the league in 2017 will put their fine starts to this calendar year to the test when Everton travel to Stoke City on Wednesday.
A free weekend brought on by the FA Cup defeat to Leicester at the third-round stage meant 11 days between this match and the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace. The hope is that this extended break does not affect the momentum built in recent weeks.
This lack of football has seen focus revert to how manager Ronald Koeman continues to reshape the squad he inherited in the summer.