Liverpool vs Everton

30/3- Liverpool have been in good form in the recent matches however they faced defeat at the hands of Manchester United in an away tie while playing at Old Trafford last week. After the 3-0 drubbing, they come back home and will be playing hosts to Everton this weekend. While Liverpool are placed 4^th, the visitors are placed on the 5^th position on the points table. The difference in points between the two sides however is just a couple of points. The last match between the two sides was played earlier this season and Liverpool had won the away tie with a 1-2 score line. Also a look at the overall record between the teams for the past 15 years would suggest that Liverpool have got the better of their opponents on most occasions. In the 29 matches played between the sides in the past 15 years Liverpool have managed to win on 11 occasions while Everton on the other hand have been able to manage only 7 victories. Liverpool have only lost a single match playing at home this season and hence it would be difficult for the visiting team to register a victory.

Liverpool have displayed great form in the recent matches and they have won 8 of the last 10 matches played while there has been a draw and a loss as well. Torres and Gerrard have been their top two scorers for the side and they would be expected to deliver in this home tie as well. Liverpool would not like to lose this one as that would mean that they would have to give up their position on the table as well.

Everton on the other hand have also performed well as they have managed 6 victories in the past 10 games with 3 draws and a loss. The match can be decided by a moment of brilliance by any of the player from either side.

Prediction: 1-0, Liverpool win

Everton vs West Ham

22/3- Everton are currently on the fifth position and are clear off the nearest team by a good 6 points and if we go by the form the team has been throughout the season they would surely have no threat and would qualify to the UEFA cup next year as the fifth best team in the premiership this year. In an attempt to keep their position Everton get ready to play hosts to the tenth placed West Ham United this weekend. While Everton have been a very good team, West ham have only put up a moderately good performance. Also while playing at home Everton have had a marvellous record and their form is also quite good and hence West ham need to be a little careful. Everton have just lost one of their last 5 matches while they have won all the other 4, West Ham United on the other hand have been able to manage 2 wins in the last 5 matches while they have ended on the losing side on 3 occasions. Everton would have the home advantage and with the home crowd supporting them they would surely start as the favourites.

Everton come into this match after they had to face defeat against Fulham in an away tie last week and hence the team would be desperate and eager to score some points. Playing against an opponent like West Ham United the team would go for a win and would aim at scoring a full three points and anything less than that would be a disappointment.

West Ham United on the other hand come into this tie after they beat a higher ranked Blackburn in a home tie and hence would be confident but their form away from home has not been that great and against a team like Everton that might be exploited.

Prediction: 1-0, Everton win

Fulham vs Everton

16/3- Fulham have had a dreadful season and they find themselves on the second last position and almost relegated as the season approaches its end, only some inspiring performances here can help them out of the problems they are currently in and this struggling team get prepared this week to play hosts to the 5^th placed Everton. Everton have had a great season and most certainly than not would be qualifying for European action for the next year and would want to continue the good form and hang on to the position achieved. While the home side are trying to avoid relegation the visiting side are concerned about their finishing in the top 5 of the premiership this season. This match can be expected to deliver some result as in the last 15 years no match between the two sides has ended in a draw. Everton are the dominant side as they have won 7 of the 13 matches played while the remaining 6 have been won by Fulham. The last encounter between the two sides that took place earlier this season saw Everton pulling off a marvellous 3-0 home victory.

Fulham are in a spot of bother due to the bad performance of the team in the past 10 games, they have lost 6 games while drawn 3 and won just a single game. They did show some grit against Blackburn last week in an away tie where they managed to hold the home team for a draw and get a point out of the match but they would have to throw a much better performance against a team like Everton.

Everton on the other hand have a great record this season, they have won 7 of the last 10 games with 2 being drawn and only 1 loss and anything less than a victory would be unsatisfactory for them.

Prediction: 0-2, Everton win

Sunderland vs Everton

9/3- In an attempt to revive their position on the points table Sunderland would be taking on Everton this week in a home tie. Sunderland are a couple of points above the relegation zone and would like to continue their run outside the danger zone, they have been in good form at home and at least a point of this match would be their outlook. Everton on the other hand are in tremendous form and in their last three matches they have managed three victories and would like to continue the winning run and jump positions on the points table. The last match between the two sides that was played earlier this season Everton had managed a home win with 7-1 score line. A win here would put them on equal points with 4^th placed Liverpool and almost a certain spot for the European championships for next year. The overall head to head record also shows that Everton have a better record and of the 13 matches played Everton have won 6 matches while Sunderland have been able to win only 4.

Everton come into this match after a 3-1 win in their last match against Portsmouth at home. Yakubu and Cahill are the two players which could make the difference to the side, their away form has been great as well and they would expect to score all three points and any point dropped would be a disappointment.

Sunderland on the other hand would want to make of the home advantage and if they can capitalise in this match they can surely make a way out of the bottom part and stabilise themselves away from the relegation zone. Jones is their key player and has scored five goals this season and if he can deliver the team can expect to score at least a point.

Prediction: 1-2, Everton win

Everton vs Portsmouth

2/3- Everton are probably the surprise package of the season and with their consistent top class performance they have been able to keep away Liverpool from the top 4 sides of the premiership and also brought in more competition for the other teams to tackle. They get prepared to take on Portsmouth at home this week after having two very successful weeks of premiership matches. Liverpool are just under the nose of Everton and a win could keep them away from the charging team in red. The last match between the sides was a goalless draw earlier this season however with both sides in good form some goals can be expected this time. The overall record between the teams clearly suggests that Everton have been the dominant side by far winning 6 of the 9 matches played between the sides in the last 15 years. Everton also appear to be in better form as they have won 6 of their last 10 matches played while Portsmouth have managed victories in only 4 of their last 10 matches.

Everton will be highly confident about their chances as they go into this home match after two successive wins, the last one being against Manchester City in an away tie. Also with the home crowd behind them it would be difficult to beat them and if Yakubu and Cahill can fire the side will be looking for a full three points off this tie.

Portsmouth on the other hand also come into this match after a good 1-0 home win against Sunderland last week. A win this week could help them climb at least a couple of spots and also bring them in contention for a top 6 finish which can help them qualify for the European stage next season.

Prediction: 2-1, Everton win

Everton vs Reading

9/2- Everton have performed immensely well this season and their 4^th position on the points table is an indicator of their strong hold on their football. Everton have maintained good performances while playing at home or away from home but the challenge now will be maintaining that position till the end of the season, especially with Liverpool following them strongly and might pose a threat to their position. After two draws in the last two weeks Everton would be looking out for a victory and full three points. This week they have a golden chance to do that when they take on 17^th placed Reading. The visitors have experienced six consecutive losses and are just a point away from the relegation zone. In fact the competition is between the two teams placed fourth, one from the bottom of the table while the other from the top. The only fact concerning Everton at the moment will be that they lost to the same side 1-0 in an away tie earlier this season.

The home side would be hoping the strong crowd support to drive them through as many key players might be missing from the match. The side’s top scorer this season, Yakubu, is out as he is on national duty for the African Cup so are players like Yobo and Pienaar. Hence Cahill would have to shoulder the goal scoring responsibilities alongside Johnson. The side would also look to a big margin victory so that they can stand good in the end if it comes down to the goal difference.

Reading would be hoping for a result like they had against Everton in the first half of the season though the chances look really slim. The visiting side would not want to lose this one as that could possibly push them into the relegation zone but avoiding defeat would not be easy.

Prediction: 2-0, Everton win

Everton vs Manchester City

12/1- The sixth placed Everton start of the second half of the premiership against one of the tougher opponents, Manchester City. Manchester City has been the club on the rise and have overtaken Liverpool to grab the fourth spot behind Chelsea, they have lost just once in their last 10 matches and this shows their consistency of performance. The only problem that this team faces is their performance in away matches, they are a miserable 11^th when we talk about the away form of the teams in the premiership. However in the last match against Newcastle they set their targets and made people aware of what they are capable of by winning 2-0 in an away tie. Everton on the other hand also have an impressive record and they too were able to achieve an away victory by a 0-2 margin against Middlesbrough. Their record at home has also been quite respectable as they have won 6 of their 10 matches played at home.

 

Manchester City would be hoping that they can move away from Liverpool who are just a point behind but have also played a match lesser, the team would like to capitalize on its good form and gain important points from the recent ties. Blumer and Bianchi have been the better performers for the club and their defense also looks organized, everything seems to be working for them and they would look at scoring the full points.

 

Everton on the other hand have the luxury of home support and a good run at home which is complemented by Manchester City’s poor run away from home. With players like Yakubu and Cahill firing they are a force to reckon with and they would have sights set on an European cup position. The match will be a closely fought encounter and a solitary goal could make the difference.

 

Prediction: 1-1

  

Everton vs Arsenal

Everton vs Arsenal

 

29/12- On the eve of the new year, Everton face a tough task of managing the Gunners who have been just dethroned of their top position in the league by Man U, last week. Arsene Wenger’s team would be waiting to make a statement and a trip to Everton might just be the place they do so. Though Everton have been one of the better teams this season facing a roaring Arsenal team would be a huge challenge for the club. Arsenal have lost just one match this season and enter this match after an away draw against Portsmouth and hence would be eager to score 3 points here where as Everton beat Bolton 2-0 at home on the 26^th. Looking at the history of the clubs of the last 28 games played after 1993-94 Arsenal have managed to win 16 times while 7 have been draws and out of the 16 Arsenal wins 10 have come against Everton in Everton and hence the Gunners have an upper hand.

 

Arsenal have Adebayor and Fabregas on their side, two of the best strikers in the premiership and their injury list also seems to be empty hence Wenger would have the entire squad ready to choose from. The difference between them and Man U is just a point and if the red devils loose or tie at West Ham Arsenal have a great chance to regain their lost position, even if Man U win it is important that the Gunners can keep up pace with them.

 

Everton, on the other hand are fighting for the UEFA cup spot and know that only a few wins can help them achieve their goals With Manchester City having to host Liverpool this weekend a win could take Everton to the 5^th spot and if Yakubu and Cahill can score a few we would have a game on hand. But as of now it looks as if the Gunners might just take home a good 3 points.

 

Prediction: 1-3, Arsenal win

Manchester United vs Everton

23/12- As Arsenal have extended their lead to 4 points once again, it will be a tester for second place Manchester United to keep up the pace with the league leaders as they play hosts to the improving Everton. Both teams enter this contest on the back of fantastic away victories. While Man U played a brilliant game to get the better of the reds at Anfield by a 1-0 margin, Everton managed to win their away tie against Wet Ham United with a 2-0 score line. Man U probably have one of the best attacking front line in the league but Everton have a single goal advantage in terms of the total number of goals scored but when looking at the number of goals conceded Manchester have given away half the number of goals as given away by Everton.

Looking at the past record Manchester United should be sure winners as in the 29 encounters between the sides Man U have 23 victories while 4 matches have been draws and Everton have managed just two victories which have been at home only. The home team would be banking on the performance of their strikers especially with Christiano Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney scoring freely in the recent encounters. Sir Alex Fergusson would be hoping that his side would be able to draw all the points from this tie and not allow Arsene Wenger’s side to get away that easily.

Everton on the other hand would be the under dogs as they have hardly anything to lose, the history is against them and there seem to be no flaw in the way their opponents are playing but the only hope for them would be that their premiere striker Yakubu would get some support from the likes of Cahill and Johnson and convert a goal and the Everton defense can some how keep out the Manchester attack.

Prediction: 1-0, Man U win

Chelsea Vs Everton

Chelsea Vs Derby

Kick off: Sunday 11^th November 2PM (BST)

Location: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea go into Sunday’s game with four consecutive league wins under their belt. New manager Avram Grant has had a successful start as Chelsea manager, and there’s no doubt he’ll be looking for another win on Sunday. Everton have won their last two games in the premiership too, so this is set out to be a rather exciting affair.

Both Chelsea and Everton played midweek in the Champions League and UEFA Cup respectively. Chelsea drew away to Schalke and Everton won away to Nurnberg. So, with any hope, Everton fans will be hoping that their win in midweek boosts the confidence throughout the camp and therefore can hopefully come away with something at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s injury list continues with Petr Cech unavailable for Sunday’s game as he’s out with a torn calf. However, some good news for Chelsea is that Ashley Cole is back, and has been included in the squad to face Everton. Chelsea, only three points behind champions Manchester United, are effectively back in the title race after their recent performances in the league and will certainly be hoping to push on their title hopes this weekend with a win against Everton.

Of course Chelsea go in favourites for this game, however, you’d be mad to rule out Everton. With new transfer Yakubu starting to place the ball in the back of the net, Carlo Cudicini will have something to worry about. Everton will no doubt go to the Bridge and be looking for a win, rather than coming to London and playing as a defensive unit. Everton, currently lying in 8^th place in the league, have injury worries of their own though. Missing key players such as Andy Johnson and James Vaughan.

Obviously Chelsea go in favourites and are expected to pick up three points this weekend. However, with key players such as Petr Cech and John Terry out, Chelsea may struggle at the back against in form striker Yakubu.

Prediction: I’m going to have to say a 2-1 win to Chelsea. Chelsea’s strength in depth will show and they should overcome The Toffees.

Next Page »