Premier League: Too Much to Lose in this ‘Friendly Derby’

Everton vs Liverpool

The stakes could hardly be higher on Merseyside this weekend when Premier League: Everton vs Liverpool kicks off at Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime.

Toffees manager Sean Dyche is under pressure after his team was thumped 4-0 away to Manchester United last week, and before they meet their city rivals they face a potentially seismic six pointer against Wolves in midweek. Meanwhile Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City last Sunday placed Arne Slot’s men nine points clear at the top of the table and they will be extremely keen to keep their foot on the peddle.

It’s known as the ‘Friendly Derby’ but there will be no love lost at Goodison on Saturday and no quarter given; in fact, I will confidently predict it will be a steamy affair on the pitch and in the stands.     

The Everton vs Liverpool betting odds don’t give the hosts much hope, with the league leaders at odds of 1.37 to take the points… and the bragging rights, away.

 

Talking Points

Sticky run for the Toffees

Everton fans woke up on Wednesday morning with their team sitting uncomfortably, just one place above the drop zone; and when they look at their fixtures over the next three weeks they could be forgiven for fearing the worst. Following the visit of Liverpool, the Toffees head south to visit Arsenal before entertaining Chelsea and then heading to the Etihad to take on Manchester City on Boxing Day. It’s hard to imagine the Sky Blues will still be struggling by then but, in any case, this nasty sequence of fixtures takes in four of the top five teams.

Everton may also rue some missed chances in recent weeks. The Toffees played a supporting role in Ruben Amorin’s Premier League home bow and they were more than accommodating to a previously toothless Manchester United attack. And, before that mauling, Everton played Brentford, West Ham United, Southampton and Fulham and picked up just three points, scoring a single goal in the process.

Dyche responded by dropping Dominic Calvert-Lewin and he brought in Beto for the Manchester United game, but with little success and he may well turn next to Armando Broja who is yet to make his Everton debut.

These are worrying times for the Toffees and they need to find another level quickly, otherwise they could have a very miserable Christmas. And nobody, away from Anfied, would wish them that!    

 

New deal for Salah?

The undoubted stars of the SBOTOP Premier League 2024, Liverpool have a team which is supremely together under Slot, with plenty of stars and they can always rely on their big players at either end of the pitch. Centre back Virgil Van Dijk was imperious at the back in the victory over Manchester City and he could easily have scored twice with powerful headers from set pieces.

And with 11 goals and seven assists Mo Salah is showing no signs of slowing down and he was at his brilliant best against the Sky Blues, creating the opening goal for Cody Gakpo with a superb ball and scoring the second with a clinical strike from the penalty spot. So Liverpool fans will be screaming at the club to tie the Egyptian down for another year. Reports on Merseyside say Salah will be happy to sign a one year extension to his contract but he may be getting frustrated at the lack of progress, and with the money men of the Saudi Pro League likely to try lure him again, the Anfield bosses need to get a move on.   

 

History

With 30 wins to 11 the Reds have dominated the head to head Everton vs Liverpool results in the Premier League era but the Toffees sprung a surprise last April when they won 2-0 at Goodison Park with goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Calvert-Lewin.    

In terms of recent form there couldn’t be a bigger contrast as Everton are without a win in five while Liverpool are on a seven match unbeaten run and the Reds have won five and drawn one on the road this season. The picture may change slightly with both teams in midweek action. The Reds are away to Newcastle United on Wednesday but whatever the outcome they will still be well clear at the top when they rock up to meet their neighbours on Saturday.  

 

Betting Tip

With Everton priced at 6.09 and the draw at 4.25 there is a prayer for the hosts and sometimes derbies can be a leveller, but 2-0 to Liverpool is the most likely score line at odds of 6.76 and I think that will be very close.

   

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