Round 15 of the Premier League brings the season’s first Merseyside derby as Everton welcome league leaders Liverpool to Goodison Park on Saturday. This clash pits two teams with contrasting fortunes in a fierce rivalry showdown.
Liverpool sits at the top of the standings after a brilliant start to the new season, while Everton hovers above the relegation zone at 17th. Can the Toffees derail the surging Reds? Here’s our analysis and prediction for this pivotal encounter.
Everton – Liverpool Head-to-Head Analysis
| General Details | Everton Lineup (Predicted) | Liverpool Lineup (Predicted) |
|---|---|---|
| Date: 07/12/2024 Time: 13:30 Stadium: Goodison Park Where to watch: SuperSport 204 | Jordan Pickford Ashley Young James Tarkowski Jarrad Branthwaite Vitaliy Mykolenko Iliman Ndiaye Idrissa Gueye Orel Mangala Abdoulaye Doucouré Dwight McNeil Dominic Calvert-Lewin | Caoimhin Kelleher Trent Alexander-Arnold Jarell Quansah Virgil van Dijk Andrew Robertson Ryan Gravenberch Curtis Jones Dominik Szoboszlai Mohamed Salah Darwin Núñez Luis Díaz |
Historic Performances
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to revisit their past battles. By studying their head-to-head history, we can make educated guesses about what might happen on Friday night.
Recent Encounters
In their last five meetings across all competitions, Liverpool held the edge with three wins, one draw, and one defeat against Everton. While these stats highlight Liverpool’s dominance, Everton have proven they can spring a surprise, particularly at home.
Their most recent encounter ended in a memorable 2-0 victory for the Toffees at Goodison Park. This result will resonate with both teams heading into this clash. However, Liverpool’s current form positions them as clear favorites to claim victory.
Key Factors Influencing the Match
Let’s fast forward and analyze both teams’ current form. We’ll spotlight the key players who could decide the fate of this derby. This analysis will help us predict the potential outcome of this exciting clash.
Previous Match
Everton’s season has been plagued by inconsistency, leaving them in a relegation battle. They’ve won two matches so far, with six losses and five draws, and are winless in their last five league matches. This includes a demoralizing 4-0 loss to Manchester United last weekend.
The Toffees have struggled at both ends of the pitch after managing just ten league goals while conceding 17. Also, their home record of one win, three draws, and two losses reflects their ongoing challenges.
Sean Dyche’s defensive organization has yet to yield consistent results, but the derby offers a chance to rally his team and fans. Expect a compact Everton setup, aiming to frustrate Liverpool and strike on the counter.
In contrast, Liverpool has been sensational under new manager Arne Slot. They’ve emerged as title favorites with 31 points from 36 and a goal difference of +16. They’ve been in excellent form since the start of the new season after just one defeat in all competitions. The Reds lead the UCL table with a 100% win record in five games.
Last weekend, their commanding 2-0 win over reigning champion Manchester City made a statement for their EPL title credentials. Slot’s system has revitalized the team, blending new signings with established stars.
Liverpool’s flawless away record of five wins and a draw further boosts their confidence. Riding a five-match winning streak, they enter the Merseyside derby as clear favorites but must be wary of Goodison Park’s intensity.
Players
Dwight McNeil stands out as Everton’s key player, contributing four goals and three assists across 13 games this season. Renowned for his precise crosses and long-range strikes, McNeil adds versatility to Everton’s attack.
However, the Toffees face injury woes, with James Garner, Seamus Coleman, Chermiti, and Tim Iroegbunam unavailable. Armando Broja might return, but his inclusion remains uncertain.
Mohamed Salah could continue his stellar form for Liverpool, scoring 11 league goals, including a penalty against Manchester City. He’ll be supported by Luis Díaz’s attacking prowess and Mac Allister’s creativity from midfield.
Ibrahima Konaté, Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, and Kostas Tsimikas are the Reds’ sidelined players. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley rejoined the matchday squad against City after an earlier injury scare.
Home Advantage
Everton’s struggles this season are evident in their underwhelming home record of one win, three draws, and two losses at Goodison Park. In contrast, Liverpool boasts an impressive away record, with five wins and one draw in the league. Remarkably, the Reds remain unbeaten on the road across all competitions. This flawless form will boost their confidence to triumph in this challenging derby atmosphere.
Betting Tips
Based on our analysis of both teams’ recent performances, here are some betting tips for Nigerian Bettors to help you maximize your winnings on Friday’s Everton vs. Liverpool clash:
Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from bookies for each team to win, lose, or draw the match:
Everton to Win – 6.50 | Draw – 4.75 | Liverpool to Win – 1.44
Mainstream bookmakers rated Everton as an underdog to claim home victory, while backing Liverpool as the favorite to triumph, with the chances of a draw very unlikely. Liverpool’s incredible nine-match unbeaten streak and dominance in the previous meetings with the Toffees make them favorites to win the Derby.
Final Thoughts on the Match
The Merseyside derby is famed for its unpredictability, but current form favors Liverpool. Everton’s struggles this season, contrasted with Liverpool’s title-contending momentum, suggest an away victory. Nevertheless, the passion and intensity of this rivalry ensure Everton cannot be entirely ruled out, particularly at Goodison Park.
Samuel Okunsolawo is an iGaming expert with over six years of experience in content writing. His passion for simplifying complex concepts makes his articles accessible and useful for beginners and experts alike. With a focus on sports betting trends and reliable betting sites, Samuel’s articles are an excellent resource for those seeking guidance and staying up to date in the world of iGaming.