England Premier League
Saturday 3rd September 2022
Kick off at 12:30pm BST
Venue: Goodison Park
Match Preview:
There’s not quite a derby like the Merseyside derby and the two clubs from the football mad city of Liverpool will go head to head once again on Saturday lunchtime.
Obviously Liverpool will be the favourites and have enjoyed much of the success of the two teams going back over 30 years. But Everton have hung in there and on their day can be capable of surprising the Reds, this is a derby where form and tactics can go out the window. However last season was one to forget for Everton as they came up short twice against their eternal rivals with the game here at Goodison Park finishing 4-1 to Liverpool.
Everton have continued to be busy in the transfer market and have brought in Neal Maupay for £15m and Idrissa Gueye has returned from PSG. James Garner has also signed from Manchester United. The team has certainly been bolstered and on paper are looking solid although the club come into this game with no wins. Instead they have 3 points from their first five games and are worryingly in 17th place, not much it seems has changed but at the same time the new players will have to gel.
It’s three draws in a row for Frank Lampard’s side and at least the plus side is that they have gone unbeaten however in two of those games Everton were winning and apart from having to play Chelsea in the opening weekend of the season it could be argued that the club haven’t faced real quality up to now.
Liverpool have had an out of sorts start to the season but they have now won their last two games. Beating Bournemouth 9-0 was obviously terrific and just the right tonic for the club but beating Newcastle 2-1 after trailing against them was the better result given how the Magpies have improved over the past six months. It means that the Reds come here in better form, shape and confidence just what Everton didn’t want. Striker Darwin Nunez who has been suspended for the last 3 games due to his reckless red card is unfortunately for Everton back for the Reds and he will want to make amends one would expect.
Team News:
Everton: Dominic Calvert-Lewin has made progress with his knee injury but misses out here and isn’t expected back for another 10 days at least. Abdoulaye Doucoure is also about ten days away with his hamstring. Ben Godfrey, Yerry Mina, Mason Holgate and Andros Townsend are all set to be missing for at least the next 3-4 weeks.
Liverpool: Jordan Henderson has a hamstring injury and is a doubt for the game and only rated at 50/50. Diogo Jota will be assessed after recovering from injury, Naby Keita is still out with a muscle injury, Ibrahima Konate has a knock, Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain has a hamstring injury with no fixed return date and Thiago looks set to miss out again with his hamstring but could be back next week.
Everton vs Liverpool Head to Head:
Last season in the two games played Everton conceded 6 goals scoring just once.
In the last 26 meetings Everton has just 1 win over Liverpool and that was behind closed doors.
There is a 70% chance to see under 2.5 goals.
Everton vs Liverpool Prediction:
Everton despite being at home are the big underdogs and when you see their record over Liverpool in the past decade it is easy to see why. Everton have assembled a workmanline team who look on paper solid at the back and even in midfield but the worry is who will create that magic? There is Anthony Gordon and on his day he can trouble any club with his pace. But Liverpool have five or six players that can do the same thing. It is true that Liverpool have looked more suspect at the back and they look disjointed compared to the last two years but there is that growing feeling that Liverpool are getting stronger and stronger by each passing game.
On paper and with all due respect to Everton this is a Liverpool win, but if the Toffees can keep their composure and counter well they could well frustrate the Reds and this of course a derby. Everton really do not look convincing enough on the road, at home this season hasn’t been easy either, but we think they could be worth backing on the handicap. Manager Lampard will be very adamant to forget last seasons drubbing here and Everton need to be assertive. Perhaps a big derby coming so early in the season may just suit Everton to take some risks and try to make their visitors feel uncomfortable. Liverpool remain the better side but do not look at 100% just yet.
Everton vs Liverpool Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (+1.5 Everton) at 1.84
Anytime goalscorer: Anthony Gordon at 5.00
Anytime goalscorer: Darwin Nunez at 2.00
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