Everton FC
Southampton FC
Southampton FC
Everton presented fabulous chance to capitalise on teams above them with Southampton game
Everton to win 2-1
Everton have a fantastic opportunity to make up ground on those teams above, with the likes of Leicester, West Ham and Chelsea all dropping points this weekend.
The Toffees are not in the best form themselves, with just two wins from their last seven fixtures, though should be licking their lips at the prospect of facing a poor Southampton side here.
With the likes of Calvert-Lewin and Allan likely to be available after injury spells, it’s the ideal time to press ahead in the race for the top four.
Southampton are currently on their longest winless run under their current manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, with eight matches now passing since their last victory, with seven defeats coming during that period.
Now down in 14th, they remain seven points clear of relegation, though will start to panic if that gap gets any closer.
Form Guide (all comps): WWWDL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Unbeaten in last 15 meetings at home to Southampton
Calvert-Lewin should be fit to start
Reasons to be fearful:
Suffered three successive home defeats
Lost their first meeting of the season 2-0
Should Everton win their two matches in hand, they’ll push up into 4th place, ahead of fellow top four challengers Liverpool, Chelsea and West Ham.
They are a side who have flirted with the top four for much of the season, but since topping the table back in October, have struggled for consistency in what has been a strange season for virtually every club.
The Toffees’ home form will be somewhat concerning for manager Carlo Ancelotti – they’ve lost their last three home games, only scoring six goals from their last nine matches at Goodison Park.
Here, they’ll be hoping that Dominic Calvert-Lewin can be fit enough to play from the start, having scored 18 goals this season, though has missed two of the last three games through a hamstring issue.
They must go all out for the win here.
Star Man – Richarlison
Has stepped up in Calvert-Lewin’s absence, with four goals from his last four matches.
Form Guide (all comps): LWLDL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Won their first meeting of the season
Ings could be fit to play
Reasons to be fearful:
Injury issues are mounting up
Taken just seven points from the past 39 available
Southampton are desperately in need of a win to stop the rot which has ruined their season, which had started incredibly promisingly.
Having briefly topped the table towards the end of 2020, they’ve swiftly tumbled to 14th after a disastrous run of form which has included just one victory in their last 13 games.
Star striker Danny Ings should be fit to start here, and has an impressive record against Everton, but needs support from his teammates, who have been off the pace in recent months.
Unfortunately, it’s a squad which is rather depleted, with the likes of Minamino, Walcott, Diallo and Walker-Peters nursing injury. Oriol Romeu has been ruled out of the rest of the season.
They are not currently in danger from relegation, but they must pick up points once again before long.
Star Man – Danny Ings
Southampton’s star striker has a good record against Everton, with seven goal contributions from nine appearances against the Toffees.
Can Southampton break free of their recent woes?
Calvert-Lewin or Ings likely to score
Everton are favourites on form
If Everton can win here, it could spur them on to great things for the rest of the season. They have a terrific squad and a manager experienced in steering his side to success.
As for Southampton, after just one win from 13, they are in dire need of a positive result. Should this form continue for much longer, they may be left looking over their shoulders.
Everton to win 2-1
