MY ACCOUNT
– Everton have scored just 16 goals in their 22 Premier League matches this season
– Leeds have not won any of their last nine Premier League games
– Recommended bet: Under 2.5 goals
Leeds will have fond memories of their last visit to Merseyside when they grabbed a 2-1 success with a late goal at Liverpool, but if that result was a bonus for the Whites, defeat the other side of Stanley Park at Everton will see them in the Premier League relegation zone.
The Whites, who have gained just six points on the road this term, are in limbo after sacking manager Jesse Marsch and they have been unable to appoint a permanent successor to the American.
Under-21 coach Michael Skubala has taken charge of the last two games and will be in the dugout again at Goodison Park.
Everton, meanwhile, got their new manager bounce when they beat title challenger Arsenal in Sean Dyche’s first match in charge, but they need to bounce back from the disappointment of a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool on Monday.
Team news
Everton’s struggles in attack are one of the biggest reasons why they are in the bottom three, and, once again, they look set to be without striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who missed the Merseyside derby with a hamstring injury.
Ellis Simms looks set to lead the line again, although Neal Maupay could be pushing for a start. The game is set to come too early for Nathan Patterson, who is still recovering from the knee injury he suffered in the 4-1 defeat against Brighton last month.
Rodrigo will be missing for Leeds with an ankle injury, but the Yorkshire outfit will be hopeful that Liam Copper will be available and Pascal Struijk should feature after a concussion. However, Stuart Dallas remains a long-term absentee with a thigh issue.
The stats
Everton have lost seven of their last nine Premier League matches, and the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in October has been the only time in 11 home league games this season that they have scored more than once.
They have, though, scored in their last four matches at Goodison Park, even if three of those ended in defeats to Wolves, Brighton and Southampton.
Leeds took a 2-0 lead at Manchester United in their last away game before having to settle for a point, but that was the only time in their previous four games that they had found the net.
They have claimed six points on the road this season, winning at Liverpool and drawing at United, Newcastle and Southampton, but they have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 away games.
Prediction
Things are getting increasingly nerve-wracking at the bottom of the Premier League, and this has all the ingredients of being a cagey affair.
Whoever loses will be in the bottom three on Saturday night, and while Leeds performed well at Old Trafford last week, the stakes are higher here, and that could see them adopt a more cautious approach.
Sean Dyche enjoyed a winning start when his team beat Arsenal two weeks ago, but they have little to offer upfront, and their goals tally is the lowest in the division.
Everton’s 22 games have featured just 46 goals this season, and it looks a solid bet to predict there will be fewer than three in what could be a nervy encounter.
Back under 2.5 goals at 10/13.
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