Everton vs West Ham United
West Ham make a long trip up north for a Sunday lunch meeting with one of the Premier League pacesetters, as Everton try to maintain their perfect start at Goodison Park.
The Toffees are currently in fifth place in the league table, just two points behind leaders Chelsea while the Hammers are three points and four places back in ninth. The hosts have picked up four points from the last two games, drawing with Manchester United last time out, while the visitors arrive on Merseyside on the back of a defeat to Brentford.
The Premier League 2021 betting odds rank both these sides around the seventh or eighth mark and that would mean narrowly qualifying or missing out on Europa League football. But both teams quite rightly set their sights a little higher. Everton look capable of mixing it with the top four while West Ham proved last season that they belong in the leading pack.
Talking Points
Fast starts for Everton’s new signings
A new manager has brought a fresh feel to life at Goodison Park and two of Rafa Benitez’ new recruits have settled in superbly. The Toffees were the better side in a recent 1-1 draw against Manchester United as Andros Townsend scored his third goal of the season. Since his arrival at the club, he has rediscovered his best form and a screamer of a goal against Burnley was one of the best Premier League 2021 highlights of the season so far. The former Crystal Palace man has a penchant for the spectacular, scoring a memorable winner against Manchester City when the Eagles beat the Sky Blues back in 2018, and once again he looks every bit the player who picked up 13 England caps.
Demarai Gray has scored three as well and he too looks to be a shrewd signing. Still only 25 years old he was a rising star at Leicester but made the switch to Germany last season to play for Bayer Leverkusen. When he became available in the summer Benitez moved quickly to bring him in for an undisclosed fee, thought to be less than £2m. At that price his is a steal and his pace and finishing ability will cause Premier League defenders plenty of problems.
Abdoulaye Doucoure is in his second season at the club and has made four assists while also scoring twice, and he has become one of the Toffees best-attacking threats. Head coach Rafael Benitez has a depleted squad to pick from. Brazil star Richarlison is out, alongside striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and France wingback Lucas Digne may also be ruled unfit, but the boss has plenty of talent to pick from and momentum gathering.
Antonio on fire again
Former Everton boss David Moyes has worked wonders at West Ham, first saving them from relegation and then delivering Europa League football. One of his biggest success stories has been the resurgence of striker Michail Antonio, who had a superb campaign last term and has already scored five league goals this time. That puts him in third place in the early race for the Golden Boot, with just Jamie Vardy and Mo Salah ahead on six.
Antonio has plenty of creative players around to supply him, with Pablo Fornals in good form and England star Declan Rice weighing in with two assists. But with games to come against Genk in the Europa League next Thursday and a Carabao Cup tie with Manchester City looming, Moyes will have to rotate his squad, as well as weighing up the fitness of wingback Vladimir Coufal who withdrew from the Czech Republic squad with a niggling injury.
History
Everton have won 29 of the 54 meetings with West Ham in the Premier League era while the Hammers have managed 11 wins and 14 draws. Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the only goal of the last encounter, as Everton took all three points away from the London Stadium back in May to end the Hammers outside hopes of Champions League football.
The Toffees have won all three of their home league games this season and have won five in a row at Goodison Park in all competitions.
Betting Tip
 |
 |
Everton vs West Ham United | 1X2 Everton @ 2.41 |
| October 17, 21:00 (GMT+8) |
The Toffees are SBOTOP favourites to win this clash, but only marginally, with West Ham at 2.74 and the draw at 3.21. But they are very strong at home and have been on a good run at Goodison, while the Hammers were beaten by newcomers Brentford last time out.
It should be an entertaining tussle and Over 2.50 goals at odds of 1.86 could be a useful alternative bet.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
|
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
