As every good tipping piece begins – I was sat with my mate having a couple of cans last Friday night.
We debated back and forth the merits of Everton’s success to this point. I was keen to mention that the likes of James Rodriguez can blow hot and cold if they hit a rough spell, while, bar Lucas Digne, the defensive line aren’t top-four quality.
He mentioned that momentum can paper cracks in personnel and I agreed. After getting a deserved point against Liverpool in what felt like both a psychological blockade and a crucial crossroads in terms of form – I may be a believer.
They’ve even got that nasty streak that makes opposing midfielders pull out of the odd tackle. There’s a genuine recipe for success here, and the longer we witness Spurs, Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool put in relatively subpar performances, the more you begin to see it.
They probably won’t win the league, but my God, they’re absolute pantomime to watch aren’t they? Southampton up next – who have taken seven points from their last three games in the league, and done so in some style.
Will Everton continue their impressive stretch or will Ralph Wreck It? (I’m so sorry). Here’s your three best bets.
Everton to Win
Seamus Coleman pulled up during their tussle with Liverpool and he may not make the starting XI for Everton while Richarlison obviously faces suspension and Jordan Pickford is in jail for assault. Wait, what? You mean it was completely accidental, and he’s not been reprimanded because these things happen on a football pitch. Well, I never.
Derbies are funny. They almost always determine how well you play the week after. Nobody ever really bounces back from derby disappointment immediately, fans or no fans.
Everton are only disappointed because of their lofty ambitions though, not because they played poorly or that they wouldn’t have taken a point beforehand.
That bounce does help, and given that Carlo was likely to rotate anyway, this probably isn’t a bad fixture for the boys to miss. They’ve enough about them to snatch the three points though. I can’t possibly deny that they’re top-four candidates based on their displays to date – and top four sides beat Southampton away from home, no matter the formline.
Che Adams to Score Anytime
Quietly, Adams has been a sensation this year. Yes, while his strike partner Danny Ings remains the one everyone talks about, it feels like things are finally starting to turn for him.
The youngster signed from Birmingham City for a bargain-basement price and while his goals hadn’t quite been there, his effort was outstanding and he’s a nightmare to play against.
He’s started to find the net now, too – even if that goal against Chelsea was somewhat fortuitous.
Back him to add to his already-tidy 2020/21 Premier League campaign so far.
Everton – Over 0.5 First Half Goals
I suspect the action here will take place early and often, with the Toffees rarely needing to find their footing in games to oppose themselves upon teams.
That’s kind of been the trend this year too, hasn’t it? Maybe it’s a lack of cohesion at the back due to staggered fixture lists disrupting sessions, or maybe we’re just a particularly low point for defending the Premier League, but nobody can keep it together this year.
With the average of well over three goals a game in the competition so far, it took Burnley and West Brom to finally deliver a stalemate.
Of course it did.
Everton v Southampton tips
Everton to Win
Che Adams to Score Anytime
Everton – Over 0.5 First Half Goals
* All odds correct at time of first publishing but may change. Prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget.
More Football tips for Sunday
- Our 9/2 double for Sunday’s Scottish footy with Celtic and Rangers in action
- PHIL THOMPSON: My 5/2 double for Sunday’s Premier League footy
- The 3 best bets for error-strewn Wolves v Newcastle clash
- Awesome Aubameyang can get our 21/1 Same Game Multi done
- 5 to keep the dream alive in our 16/1 Euro footy acca
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