Everton V Wolverhampton Wanderers – Saturday 17th October

Kick-off: Saturday 17^th October – 15:00 GMT

Venue: Goodison Park

Everton

League Position: 10th

Recent Form: WLWWD

Everton have finally shown some signs of recovery after a painful start to the new league campaign. Three defeats in their opening four games dampened the spirits of the fans as they were geared up for a possible top four push this season. That still doesn’t look at all likely despite a valiant return to form with seven points from their last three games, a home draw with Stoke City putting an end to their two match winning run they had previously built up with victories at Portsmouth (0-1) and at home to Blackburn Rovers (3-0).

Everton have now gone unbeaten in three games, not the run of dreams but it’s certainly a start, and a big morale boost to what must have been a demoralised Everton camp at the start of the season. However, Everton’s last outing wasn’t as successful as many would have anticipated, far from it. A draw at home to Stoke is never a positive result, no disrespect Stoke City fans, but Everton really should have wrapped up all three points in that game. That point now leaves Everton clinging onto their top ten status at current in 10^th position, but a win at home to Wolves would see them jump up a few more places, much to the delight of an expectant Goodison Park support.

Everton’s defence has come under fire of late, with the Toffee’s conceding eight goals at home already, although six of those did come in the 6-2 bashing against Arsenal on the opening day of the season. Still, both Wigan Athletic & Stoke City have found the Everton goal, and they are hardly the most formidable sides in attack. The departure of Joleon Lescott has left a big void at the back for David Moyes, one he has attempted to fill in the form of Sylvain Distin, but probably not successfully, although it’s still early days in his Everton career.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

League Position: 17th

Recent Form: DLWLL

This is an extremely tough trip for Mick McCarthy and Wolves to have to face as they prepare to embrace Goodison Park for the first time in nearly seven years. The last time Wolves faced Everton on Merseyside it was the home side who took all the spoils in a 2-0 success. Will Wolves avenge that scoreline with their youthful squad, or will they crumble as Everton continue their road to recovery. Well, we can’t help but see the latter happening, with Wolves severely lacking the quality required to go on a consistent run that tends to keep most teams in the division.

It’s now two defeats on the spin for Wolves, their third in four, and their fifth of the season so far. Wolves have only played eight games thus far so when you consider that over half of their games have ended in defeat, it doesn’t bode at all well for their chances as they head up north to Merseyside. Scoring is certainly an issue for Wolves right now, or scoring enough shall we say, with Wolves managing to find the opposing net on just seven occasions this term, an average of just under a goal every game.

However, although that statistic may not seem too bad at first glance, Wolves have had a very generous fixture list up till now consisting of very winnable games, games they haven’t won. They have lost three away games on the bounce, conceding nine in the process, and, when you bear in mind that they were thumped on their last away day out in Sunderland, you can’t help but think that the Wolves camp maybe a bit demoralised and that their best fortunes will specifically come at home, at Molineux.

Wolves will certainly give it their all and they are actually a very dangerous side on their day. Creating chances hasn’t really been too much of an issue for the lads but scoring them has. Sylvain Ebanks-Blake has spent most of the early season on the sidelines while new signing, Kevin Doyle, hasn’t really sprung into life for Wolves, as of yet, so there are big reservations about the Wolverhampton strike force.

Head-to-Head:

Everton W: 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers W: 1 Draws: 0

The pair have only met twice before in the league, that was back in the 2003/2004 Premiership campaign, six seasons ago. The honours were shared then with Everton beating Wolves 2-0 at Goodison, while Wolves secured a 2-1 victory back at Molineux. Home advantage appeared to be the difference back then, will it prove the deciding factor this Saturday.

Key Player:- Louis Saha

King Louis as he’s known to the natives, Louis Saha will need to be on top of his game from now on with Yakubu now back in the first team after a long injury lay-off. Saha has been Everton’s most deadliest striker this season, scoring five goals thus far, but David Moyes now has the option of choosing between him, Yakubu and Jo. Saha will need to work even harder from now on and maintain his goalscoring form. He still has deadly pace and an eye for the goal, and his wit around the opposition goalmouth is something managers struggle to teach the young kids these days. If he starts on Saturday, Louis Saha will be eager to show why he should be the first of three first-choice strikers on the team sheet.

Match Verdict: Everton to WIN – 1/2 Ladbrokes

It’s important that Everton make up for their early dip in form and continue adding points onto the board. A home fixture with Wolves represents a near=perfect opportunity for Everton to do just that. Wolves will have their moments, but, providing the Everton defence keeps it tidy at the back, they should have more than enough to see a Wolves side struggling in the striking department. Not the best odds on an Everton win but they should comply.

Match Odds:

Everton – 1/2 Ladbrokes

Wolverhampton Wanderers – 15/2 PaddyPower

Draw – 10/3 StanJames

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Everton to WIN to NIL – 7/5 BlueSquare