Everton need to strive to finish the season in a strong manner as they look to qualify for European football next season.
 
That is the view of the Toffees' midfielder Leon Osman, who has seen his side improve in recent weeks and they now look like they could make it into Europe by finishing in the Premier League top seven.
 
Everton are currently eight, five points behind Aston Villa in the position above them, but Osman told Sky Sports News that fans have "become accustomed" to European football in recent years and he would love the club to achieve that again this season.

He claimed there are a number of teams all fighting for the same result and the Everton squad need to step up to the fight in their coming games, starting against fifth-placed Manchester City on Wednesday night.

Even though the betting odds suggest Everton will struggle to make a European place, the player remains confident.

"There are some pretty big teams fighting over it now. You have got your Aston Villas, your Manchester Cities, Liverpool are even in there, and us," Osman said.

He added: "We are getting a good squad together and hopefully we can finish the season strongly."

Osman's confidence mirrors that shown by his midfield colleague Mikel Arteta, with the Spaniard recently telling BBC Radio Merseyside that he thinks Everton should look to win six of their remaining eight games to qualify for Europe.

However, despite his good form for his club Arteta seems unlikely to travel to South Africa with his national side this summer.

The World Cup 2010 betting makes Spain favourites to win the tournament and the fact they can leave out players like the Everton winger shows just how strong their squad is.