Everton V Liverpool

Kick-off: Sunday 29th November – 13:30 GMT

Venue: Goodison Park

TV Coverage: Sky Sports 1

Everton

League Position: 14th

Recent Form: DLDWL

Where has it all gone wrong with Everton? Two bitter defeats in quick succession has left the Toffees’ rocking and another defeat this Sunday in the Merseyside Derby would not only be a shameful third on the spin but it could actually see them go just one point above the relegation zone if those below them better their result, which, after watching Everton of late, is a strong possibility. However, just like Liverpool, a win on Sunday could revitalise their season, whereas defeat could actually be catastrophic. This is what makes Sunday’s meeting so intriguing and a clash that shouldn’t be missed at all costs.

This will be Everton’s third game within the space of seven days and with the injuries piling up, a batch of fixtures is never what you want nor need. However, David Moyes has still been selecting some strong sides of late but without any real on-pitch product. They were convincingly beaten 3-0 by the Champions last Saturday, at Old Trafford, while they were embarrassed yet again when Hull City, a team catching them near the foot of the table, beat them 3-2. In game that was certainly winnable, Everton were shocking. I dare any Everton supporter to watch their sides performance in the opening 45 minutes as it was laughable and, from an Everton’s fans perspective, cry able. Their defending at times was stuff of nightmares, and that has generally where it’s all gone wrong for Everton this season – in their defending.

Away from Goodison Park, Everton have managed just two wins in seven, a terrible return for your money. At home it hasn’t been a much happier story, with Everton managing the same amount of wins, albeit with a few more draws. 2-3-1 is their home record thus far, but you have to stretch back four home fixtures ago for Everton’s last home success against a poor travelling Blackburn Rovers teams. Their only other home victory to date came against Wigan Athletic, a team that shipped nine goals last Sunday, so their home credentials look pretty poor heading into what is, for the fans anyway, Everton’s most anticipated fixture of any Premiership season.

If Everton are to take anything from this game then they will need to keep it tight at the back, giving absolutely nothing away. This is something the Everton defence has struggled with this season, with Tim Howard in the Everton goal failing to keep a clean sheet in his previous three home starts, with Stoke City, Wolves & Aston Villa, all putting one past the US goalkeeper. Both Stoke & Wolves were sides Everton should have beaten but they could only manage draws in both.

Going on their recent displays, their trips to Manchester & Hull, Everton look a terrible proposition, despite their opponents not being in inspired form themselves. However, this is a big game for the club and the players will be fully aware of just how important a win in this meeting is. It shouldn’t take a lot of effort from David Moyes to get their starting line up fired up for the encounter but, as previous clashes with Liverpool have shown, Everton do tend to petter out, especially at Goodsion Park, losing the previous two meetings there with Liverpool.

Liverpool

League Position: 7th

Recent Form: LWLDD

After only managing a draw on Sunday and crashing out of the Champions League on Tuesday, this really will be a true test of character for the Liverpool squad. It’s been a testing season for the Reds’, with results not going their way and form evidentially has taken a serious nosedive. The players have maintained their fighting talk, their apparent desire to lift the club out of the rot it’s in but all this talk is cheap and it’s time for some real action to take place, starting with a much needed set of three points against local rivals, Everton.

Everyone on Merseyside craves on the ‘Friendly Derby’ between these two bitter, local foes. However, although Liverpool are going through and awkward and sticky patch of form, this game with Everton cold be just what they need. Not an awful lot will make up for them dropping out of the Champions League but we mustn’t forget that Liverpool still need to finish in the top four and with results not going at all their way at current, a win at Goodison could be the boost in confidence the players quite obviously need.

Liverpool’s defending was again their downfall last Saturday as they played out a disappointing 2-2 draw with man City. However, Liverpool could count themselves lucky as they could of lost that game. Nevertheless, Liverpool slowly march on, although not in the preferred circumstance. The reds’ have now drawn two on the spin at Anfield, while their away record doesn’t paint a brighter picture. Four defeats in six already has paved the way for an early Liverpool demise and defeat at Everton could see drop to as low as tenth.

Liverpool in recent seasons have prided themselves on a tight Scrooge like defence. However, that certainly hasn’t been the case this time around with Liverpool already conceding a mammoth tally of 20 goals, 12 of which have come while on their travels, with Liverpool’s defence shipping two goals a game on the road. In their six away outings thus far, Pepe Reina has yet to keep his first clean sheet, while their only clean sheet in eight games came in the 2-0 home victory over Man Utd. Both Torres & Gerrard were missing in that win but Steven Gerrard is back in the fray, but the clubs captain has yet to reach his own personal heights of last season and questions are beginning to surround the English midfielder over his Liverpool commitment and desire at present.

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

Everton W: 2 Liverpool W: 6 Draws: 3

Liverpool certainly hold the edge over their local rivals and are unbeaten in this Merseyside Derby in four matches, two of those coming at Goodison Park. To make matters sound a whole lot worse for Everton fans, Liverpool have won on their last two visits to Goodison, beating the Toffees’ 2-0 last season, with an injured Fernando Torres stealing the limelight in that clash, while they won 2-1 the season before.

The last five meetings at Goodison Park hasn’t produced a single draw, with Liverpool winning three and Everton claiming two, although, Everton’s last victory at home to Liverpool came three years ago in a 3-0 success.

Match Verdict:- Liverpool to WIN – 2.25 BlueSquare

We haven’t got a Liverpool prediction right in what seems an eternity so perhaps following us in on the Reds’ isn’t a too wise decision. However, the Liverpool’s players should be extra motivated after being knock-out of the Champions League in midweek and what better then a local Derby to exert some of your frustration. Liverpool have won on their previous two visits to Goodison Park, albeit with Fernando Torres leading the line, but with Steven Gerrard back leading them forward, perhaps not yet at his glistening best, we expect a big performance from Liverpool, hopefully with a three point end product.

Match Odds:

Everton – 3.75 SkyBet

Draw – 3.40 Bet365

Liverpool – 2.25 BlueSquare

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Steven Gerrard Last Goalscorer – 7.50 SkyBet