Two sides who both played on Thursday night in the Europa League will go head to head at Goodison Park on Sunday as struggling Everton host Arsenal in a key game for both sides. Neither side really shone in their European matches with Everton losing 2-1 at home to Lyon, whilst it took a late Olivier Giroud strike to see Arsenal overcome a 10-man Red Star Belgrade team. Both sides really need to pick up a win in this one with the pressure now beginning to mount on Everton boss, Ronald Koeman, after a poor start to the new season.
English Premier League – Everton vs Arsenal – Goodison Park – Sunday 22nd October 2017 – 13:30 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 13/5 at Ladbrokes |
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FC Everton
ArsenalEverton find themselves down in 16th place in the Premier League after winning just two of their opening eight fixtures. Last time out they drew 1-1 with Brighton in another nearly game for Ronald Koeman’s men. Much was expected of Everton this season following an exciting summer which saw the club spend big on the likes of Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane and Davy Klaassen as well as bringing Wayne Rooney home, but things have gone horribly wrong for Everton with the side lacking pace all over the field. Koeman surely can’t endure many more defeats and if his side turn in another poor performance this weekend, it could spell the end for the Dutchman.
Arsenal
Arsenal, too, have had an inconsistent start to the new season and in their last league game they lost 2-1 to Watford, despite leading until the 71st minute. Troy Deeney exposed Arsenal’s weak underbelly and it is a case of the same old problems for Arsene Wenger this season. Olivier Giroud will be pushing for a start following his fine goal on Thursday night, but Danny Welbeck and Shkodran Mustafi will miss out along with long term absentees, Calum Chambers and Santi Cazorla.
Talking Points
1. Both managers come into this match under pressure following some poor recent results.
2. Arsenal have won 11 Premier League away games against Everton – only at West Ham and Aston Villa (12 each) have they won more.
3. There has been a red card in three of the last four Premier League meetings between these sides (Laurent Koscielny in May 2017, Phil Jagielka in December 2016 and Gareth Barry in October 2015).
Prediction
Both sides really need to pick up a win in this game with both managers under pressure following disappointing seasons up to now. Everton can’t buy a win at the moment and their lack of pace across the pitch will be exposed again this weekend I feel. Arsenal struggle against teams who play with physicality and that is just not this Everton side without Romelu Lukaku. Neither of Sandro Ramirez or Wayne Rooney will cause physical problems for the Arsenal backline, so I expect Arsenal to stroll to victory in this one.
Betting Tips (Ladbrokes)
Arsenal start this game as favourites to pick up a win at odds of 21/20, whilst a home victory for Everton is available at 14/5 and the draw is slightly shorter at 13/5. I can’t see Everton winning this one, so that 21/20 on an Arsenal win looks good to me. In terms of goalscorers, Alexis Sanchez is available at 9/2 to open the scoring and whilst the Chilean has struggled somewhat this season, he is exactly the sort of player who could cause this Everton backline problems.