Tag: Everton

United Need to Find Another Gear

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Much has been said of Manchester United’s supposed recent good form. The reality is that they have been far from convincing. Despite reaching the last eight of the Europa League and winning the EFL Cup, they are still some way off reaching the top four in the Premier League. Their main problem has been in finding the net and a second striker that will deliver enough goals. They haven’t found anybody to partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic who can share the workload in terms of scoring.

United are a team that dominate possession in most games but don’t find the net often enough. This has been a repeating pattern all season. Wayne Rooney has fallen out of favour with manager Jose Mourinho. To make matters worse, Anthony Martial has been misfiring and still doesn’t appear to be true United quality.

No Top Class Striking Options

Too much has been asked of young Marcus Rashford. This young lad is still learning his trade and hasn’t really kicked on this season. Too much has rested on the broad shoulders of Ibrahimovic. His recent suspension has come at a bad time for United. It was no surprise on Saturday to see them labour to yet another draw at home to West Brom.

The pattern is all too obvious. United dominate the game in terms of possession but don’t score. They badly need to find a long term striking option for next season. At 35 years of age then it is clear that Ibrahimovic simply cannot go on for much longer. Even if United were to go on and lift the Europa League, that will still only paper over what is really needed at Old Trafford.

Will United beat the Blue half of Liverpool?

United face Everton on Wednesday in what is a vital game for them. They are in a serious fight to finish in the top four. This wasn’t something that the United fans expected when Mourinho took charge. Everton under Ronald Koeman has been a much tougher nut to crack this season.

They will surely want to bounce back after their 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. The question is will they? This match represents an interesting betting proposition. Clearly United are struggling to score goals at the moment. Everton, on the other hand, is somewhat resolute in defence. So the draw at 16-5 with BetVictor appeals to us.

BetVictor also go 20-21 on their under 2.5 goals market. This is yet another bet that we feel may be value. Anything less than a win for United on Wednesday will really turn the pressure on them in terms of a top four finish this season.

The Reds Need to Push On

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

2017 has been a poor year in Liverpool if you come from the red half of the city that is! A succession of poor results has left Jurgen Klopp and his Red Army in a precarious position in the league. They currently sit in fourth position and are four points ahead of rivals Manchester United. However, Jose Mourinho and his United side have two games in hand. This means that Liverpool cannot afford to slip up as we enter the final phase of the season.

They play Everton at Anfield on Saturday in what will be a hotly contested Merseyside derby. Everton is having a solid season under Ronald Koeman. They currently reside in seventh spot and are only six points adrift of their city rivals. Making the top four was seen as almost automatic before Christmas for Liverpool fans.

However, as mentioned by SuperHotTips.com, “There has been an average of 2.9 goals scored per game over the last 5 matches in the English Premier League where Liverpool have been at home, and Everton have been away.“. This is a great opportunity for a BTTS bet. Check out other BTTS Tips at SuperHotTips.com

Is Klopp the Reason for the Demise?

Many people are suggesting that the tough training program and high-intensity style has taken its toll on the Liverpool players. Is this the fault of Jurgen Klopp? Another answer could be that he simply doesn’t have the quality that he had at Borussia Dortmund. Whatever the reason, it is clear that Liverpool are struggling at the moment and the odd sporadic result isn’t good enough.

Everton will welcome the absence of Liverpool’s Adam Lallana. He picked up a knock in the International break while playing for England. That is a huge blow for Jurgen Klopp. His thigh injury looks likely to rule him out for around 3-4 weeks. At such a crucial stage of the season then that could well tip the balance in whether or not Liverpool ultimately make the top four.

Koeman in Demand

If Everton continues their impressive form, it is difficult to see bigger clubs not coming in for the “in demand” Ronald Koeman. He is clearly adding to his already impressive managerial CV. It is highly likely that a top job is only just around the corner for the Dutchman. That won’t worry the Everton fans though who will clearly fancy their chances of going to Anfield and getting a win.

Liverpool is a tough team to beat at Anfield having won ten of their fourteen league games there this season. Liverpool can be backed at 4-6 with SkyBet and that seems like very poor value to us. Everton, on the other hand, are a best-priced 4-1 with 888Sport.

The draw is 3-1 with BetVictor and we much prefer that as the value bet of the day. We also like the “both teams to score” market too and 888Sport are quoting 5-7 for both teams to find the net. Given how attack-minded Liverpool are and how fragile they are at the back then we like the look of that bet too.

Everton v West Brom: Toffees Still Dreaming of Champions League

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Everton currently lies eight points adrift of Liverpool in the race for the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot ahead of this coming Saturday afternoon’s clash with West Bromwich Albion at Goodison Park.

A win for Ronald Koeman’s men would narrow the gap on their city rivals Liverpool to just five points, with Arsenal and Manchester United also still challenging strongly for a top four finish, something the Toffees haven’t achieved since 2004-05.

West Brom meanwhile, currently sitting eighth under Tony Pulis’ tutelage, go into the match on Merseyside just nine points short of their highest ever total of 49 in the Premier League. And with 11 matches still to play, the Baggies look in good shape to possibly even better their highest ever finish of eighth achieved in 2012/13.

However, to do so Pulis’ men could do with overcoming the Toffees on Saturday who currently holds a four-point advantage over them in seventh place. They will also have to contain the Premier League’s second top goalscorer Romelu Lukaku, who has bagged 18 goals already this season, one more than he finished with back in 2012/13 when on loan at The Hawthorns.

Everton to Win and Lukaku to Score a No Brainer

Everton’s number nine has been in imperious form of late, notching nine goals, seven of them in the league since the turn of the year, including four in one game against Bournemouth at the start of February. One goal more will see him beat his previous career high total of league goals, which he achieved last term while two goals will incredibly see him become the first Everton player since Gary Lineker in 1985/86 to hit 20+ league goals in a single season. The big Belgian has also scored his club’s first goal on eight occasions already this season and is the 3/1 favourite with BetFred and Ladbrokes to make it nine occasions on Saturday.

Koeman’s main concern, as always, will be how Everton will cope if something happens to Lukaku. Ross Barkley and right-back Seamus Coleman are Everton’s second top goal scorers thus far with a paltry four goals each, while West Brom’s Salomón Rondón is hardly streets ahead of them himself as West Brom’s top goalscorer with just seven goals this season and none since a hat-trick against Swansea in mid-December.

McAuley to Notch Once Again?

Baggies veteran centre-back Gareth McAuley, with six goals to his name to date, offers a huge threat in the air from set pieces, something Pulis perennially has his teams extremely well drilled on. The Northern Ireland international is a superb 13/1 with Paddy Power to increase his tally at any time on Saturday and a massive 35/1 to open the scoring, both wagers surely worth digging deep for.

However, with Lukaku in such impressive form and with Everton having lost just one league match at home all season, it’s difficult to look past them extending their record and my top tip for this one will be for the Toffees to come out on top in a match where both teams hit the back of the net. Bet365 will offer that exact outcome with lucrative odds of 3/1 available for any willing punters.

If Everton’s vociferous home support can cheer them to yet another victory on Saturday and a few other results go in their favour, the odds of Koeman’s men qualifying for the Champions League qualifying rounds for the first time in 12 years, currently on offer at 125/1 with Bet365, will undoubtedly lower. And if you’re thinking Everton achieving a top four finish is impossible, let’s just cast our minds back to Tuesday evening when Barcelona proved that sometimes dreams can come true when they sealed a stunning 6-5 aggregate victory over Paris Saint-Germain to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals despite losing the first leg in Paris 4-0.

As the great British poet and author C.S. Lewis once said: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” Keep dreaming Everton fans, you just never know!

Tottenham v Everton Preview: Hedge Your Bets on this One

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

“We’ve had good results against really good teams and that gives everyone the confidence to get a good result on Sunday.” That’s what Everton manager Ronald Koeman recently told the club’s official website when asked about their impending clash with second-place Tottenham.

Reviewing the Toffees’ season-to-date, a season that’s seen them beat Manchester City, Arsenal and pick up a point against Manchester United, Koeman is confident his players have the skills to win on March 5. However, as buoyed by these results as Koeman may be, Mark Lawrenson can’t see Everton maintaining their current streak of nine games unbeaten.

Despite acknowledging the quality of the side, Tottenham’s defensive abilities and their desire to bounce back from a disappointing Europa League exit will be enough to tip the balance according to Lawro.

“Generally Spurs are very good defensively and, at the other end, they just ripped the Potters apart last week – Harry Kane’s hat-trick was top drawer. I know Everton are nine games unbeaten in the league, but going to White Hart Lane and continuing that run is a huge ask,” Lawrenson told BBC sport.

The Battle Between the Physical and the Mental

Ahead of the match, it seems as though one of two factors could decide this game. On the one hand, those in favour of Tottenham can look towards the team’s superior physical skills. With Harry Kane currently banging in goals for fun and leading the Premier League’s top scorer race, there’s no doubt Everton will be under pressure from the off. In fact, when you factor in the loss of defensive midfielder Muhamed Besic due to an injury, Everton may be forced into their shell in a bid to stop Kane from running riot.

On the other hand, Everton supporters could feasibly claim that their players will have the psychological edge heading into the match. As Koeman has pointed out, big results from big games this season bodes well for the upcoming fixture. Add to that the fact Everton picked up a point against Spurs the last time they met on top of a nine-run win streak and supporters have every right to be confident. There’s no doubt the absence of Besic and Yannick Bolasie will hurt, but maybe the team’s mindset can overcome this hurdle.

Indeed, with Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose and Erik Lamela all looking unlikely, the time may be right for Everton to do a bit better than a point. If the boys in blue can ride this wave of confidence, 9/2 on a win with Sun Bets looks to be a strong price. On the flip side, those with the confidence that physical skills will overcome mental agility can find odds of 4/6 on Tottenham at Coral.

Double Your Bets for a Chance to Win Twice

For those looking to sniff out a bargain, Paddy Power’s weekend “2 Up” offer may be worth taking. If Spurs can bag a couple of quick goals, you’ll be paid out instantly at 8/13 regardless of the end result. Given that we could easily see Everton fight back and earn a point as they did last time out, this could be a great way to hedge your bets. By combining Paddy Power’s offer with Coral’s 3/1 on the draw you to pick up two wins on what looks to be a highly likely outcome.

With both teams playing well and positives on both sides, Tottenham v Everton looks set to be an entertaining but close game. Current league standings would suggest the home side will just edge it. However, if you’re willing to double your bets and use some online offers, the draw could be the wisest move you’ll make this weekend.

Sunderland Simply Must Start Winning

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

David Moyes is a man under pressure. Sunderland is rooted to the bottom of the Premier League with only thirteen games to go. The arrival of Moyes at the Stadium of Light was seen as a move that would bring solidity to Sunderland. The reality has been much different. A procession of near misses in recent seasons with regards to relegation has taken its toll.

Whether the blame is with Moyes or with the Sunderland board is unclear. It has been slightly surprising to see Moyes still in a job in February. The demand to stay in the Premier League has never been higher. A creditable goalless draw with Tottenham and a 4-0 thumping of Crystal Palace were deceiving.

Is Sunderland Good Enough?

This is a big question? They were humiliated at home to Southampton with most of their crowd leaving early. With several relegation candidates picking up points recently, Sunderland is clearly under pressure. If they don’t begin to pick up points soon, it is tough to see David Moyes surviving until the end of the season.

Sunderland travels to Everton in what appears to be a really challenging encounter. Everton is clearly the best team in the Premier League outside of the top six. Ronald Koeman has done a fantastic job of pulling them together. They work to a really solid system that suits them. What Sunderland need is a couple of easier fixtures. Goodison Park certainly isn’t on that list.

Can we Back Sunderland to win?

Sunderland is a best priced 13/2 with SkyBET but even at those odds, it is difficult to see them winning. Sunderland just looks so poor at the moment. Everton is currently 2/5 with William Hill and that is almost like buying money.

The Black Cats are still in the hunt for survival and are only two points adrift of the safety zone. It is this that has kept David Moyes in a job. If that gap increases to five points or more then we can expect the board to take action. Bet365 are a best priced 17/4 for the draw and that is a good bet too.

So the decision is whether to bet on the draw or the home win? The better option is the home win. Sunderland simply doesn’t appear to be capable of getting a result against a top seven side away from home. Their 0-0 draw with Tottenham was misleading. The look of despair on Moyes’ face during their display against Southampton said it all. That was the look of a man who knew his team are in trouble.

Can Stoke Tame the Toffees?

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There are some matches in the Premier League that are tough to call. Stoke City versus Everton is one of them. The Stoke manager Mark Hughes must be one of the most underrated managers in the top division. For several seasons he has guided Stoke well clear of the drop zone and into mid-table safety. That kind of record doesn’t get talked about, but keeping a club at that level in what is the most competitive league in world football is no mean feat.

His Stoke team host Everton and both teams are going into this match on the back of impressive results. Stoke was seconds away from beating Manchester United before Wayne Rooney scored a spectacular stoppage time equaliser. Stoke City have 28pts from 22 games and are currently 16pts clear of the drop zone. So once again, they are well clear of any potential relegation threat.

Koeman has Transformed Everton

Everton will prove to be very tough opposition for Stoke despite having home advantage at the Bet365 Stadium. Since the beginning of December, Everton has lost twice in the league. They were unlucky to lose 3-2 at Watford and the Merseyside derby at home to Liverpool. They gained a creditable draw against Manchester United but have recorded some positive wins since then.

This includes beating Arsenal and Leicester away in December while also beating Southampton and Crystal Palace in January. The “jewel in the crown” with regards to their recent results was their 4-0 hammering of Manchester City. This has left Everton in seventh place just five points behind Manchester United.

Backing Stoke is Clear Value

There is very little to choose between these two teams. Everton clearly has a slight edge but with Stoke having home advantage then value should be easy to find. Once again it is worth repeating that Stoke was seconds away from beating Manchester United. The gap between Stoke and Everton is a mere eight points. You can get almost 2-1 on a Stoke City victory as Betfred quote odds of 15-8.

You can also get odds of 12-5 on the draw with BetVictor who also quote 8-5 on an Everton victory. Both of these teams lack a top class proven finisher. So the odds of 6-5 from BetVictor that both teams will not score may be of interest. If you expect either team to win by the odd goal then PaddyPower quote 17-2 for a 1-0 win for Everton while Bet365 quote odds of 9-1 for a 1-0 win for Stoke.