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Friday 17:30 – Everton v West Ham
BT Sport 1
Everton to win
It is now four games without a win for David Moyes’s West Ham who have worryingly failed to score in their last two away games. The Hammers were involved in one of the worst games of the season on Wednesday against Southampton and even though they could have snatched it late on through Said Benrahma, they will have to improve dramatically if they are to take anything from Goodison Park.
Everton have recovered well after a dip in form earlier in the season and will be well rested following the postponement of their midweek game with Manchester City. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have done well to turn their form around after losing four of their five league games across October and November. They have now won their last four in a run of form that has propelled them back into the top four just three points off Liverpool in first place.
They should have too much for a West Ham side that has failed to inspire in recent weeks.
Read: Mick McCarthy: Why I told everyone to f**k off & left Ipswich press conference
Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score anytime
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s exceptional goalscoring rate has slowed down dramatically since he set the world alight during the opening five games of the season. The English striker scored in each of Everton’s first five league games as the Toffees became the early-season pacesetters in the Premier League, however, he has failed to score in each of his last four league games.
It is perhaps good news for Everton, proving that they do not need to rely on one prolific forward to win games, but both Everton and Calvert-Lewin will surely be keen to see the striker on the scoresheet as soon as possible.
His dip in goalscoring form has seen Calvert-Lewin fall two goals behind Mohamed Salah in the Golden Boot race, but he still boasts a decent shot conversion of 31%.
He has been one of the best strikers in the league this season and can put his mini drought behind him in the first game of 2021.
Both teams to score? No
A major factor in Everton’s resurgence has been their newfound stability at the back. Ancelotti’s side have conceded just one goal in their last four games – a penalty in their 2-1 win over Arsenal – and they haven’t conceded a goal from open play in more than 400 minutes of football.
West Ham, meanwhile, have struggled in recent weeks due to their inability to put the ball in the back of the net.
They have failed to score in each of their last two games away from the London Stadium, while their most recent goals at home have come in the form of set pieces and a spectacular overhead kick from Sebastien Haller.
Their goalscoring touch will eventually return, but they could struggle to break Everton down.
Everton v West Ham tips:
Everton to win
Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score anytime
Both teams to score? No
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