Verdict: Everton win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Bet365
While Everton may not have ended their winless run in the Midlands last weekend, The Blues, minus club captain Phil Jagielka will welcome Southampton to Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon. With new signing Richarlison appearing to hit the ground running, Everton will fancy their chances of picking up their first three points of the season.
Everton
Although it isn’t quite the dream start that Everton had wished for under Marco Silva, The Blues have called for time to shape a new look squad brimming with summer signings. Adding the likes of Yerri Mina, Andrea Gomes and Lucas Digne from Barcelona, many are excited about the year ahead at Goodison Park. Coming off the back of a 2-2 draw with newly promoted Wolves last weekend, while club captain Phil Jagielka was sent off in the first half, Silva’s side put in a valiant effort to leave Molineux with a point. One man to watch for The Blues is new £40million man and former Watford winger Richarlison. While many were shocked at the fee Silva had paid, the 21-year-old Brazilian put in a Man of the Match performance as he scored both goals against Wolves on his debut.
Team News
Everton forward Richarlison, who scored twice on his debut against Wolves, is available after being taken off because of cramp in that match.
Phil Jagielka begins a three-game ban and could be replaced by Chelsea loanee Kurt Zouma, as £27.2m summer signing Yerry Mina has been ruled out.
Southampton
As for The Saints, with Mark Hughes able to have a full pre-season with Southampton after only just avoiding the drop last time out, the former Stoke boss knows that allot more will be asked of him this time around. Coming off the back of a 0-0 draw with Burnley in their Premier League opener, Hughes will be desperate to get Danny Ings in his side as The Saints have shown very little in the final third of late. Offering very little work to The Clarets defense on Sunday, Southampton have now failed to score in their last two and have also picked up some woeful results in pre-season. Picking up a pair of 3-0 defeats against Derby and Borussia Mönchengladbach, Hughes’ men also shipped three against Schalke and many around St. Mary’s are concerned a repeat of last year could be on the cards.
Team News
Mohamed Elyounoussi is a major doubt for Southampton because of a tight hamstring. However, Scottish midfielder Stuart Armstrong has recovered from a slight knock and is expected to make his debut for The Saints.
On-loan Liverpool striker Danny Ings featured as a substitute last weekend and could be in contention to make his first start.
Key Factors to Consider
- Everton are unbeaten in their last 13 home league games against Southampton, winning nine and drawing four.
- The Saints have scored just seven goals during that run, failing to score more than once.
- Everton have won four and drawn three of their last eight home league games – their only loss coming against Manchester City in March.
- Richarlison scored with both of his shots on his Everton debut against Wolves, having failed to net with his last 53 attempts for Watford in the Premier League.
- They won just three times on the road in the Premier League last season (D8, L8).
Conclusion
Although they are both sides who would have wished for a better pre-season, Marco Silva’s Everton team are appearing to take some shape. Making a number of impressive signings on deadline day, along with Richarlison appearing to hit the ground running, The Toffees could be eyeing a return to European football. While the hosts on Saturday have failed to win any of their last seven, they have now found the net six times in their last three appearances and they should be confident of coming past The Saints this weekend.
Verdict: Everton win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Bet365
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