A comfortable FA Cup win over Brentford last weekend gave Everton fans hope of a revival under Frank Lampard but the midweek defeat to Newcastle United proves that there is work still to be done. There are new arrivals in the squad to back up the new manager but a dreadful run of form keeps the Toffees in danger of being sucked into a relegation scrap.
As rivals at the wrong end of the table, that 3-1 victory for the Magpies could have real significance at the end of the season and Everton really need to start putting some wins together. On Saturday (3pm), Leeds United make the trip to Goodison Park in what may be an important game in terms of Premier League survival.
Leeds are one place above their opponents but have better form coming into the game and will be hopeful of a positive result. Everton are favourites to take the points but are an odds-against option at odds of 11/10 in most places. Victory for Leeds United is the next available selection at 23/10 whilst most betting outlets offer 13/5 on the draw.
A day after Everton’s loss to Newcastle, Leeds made the trip to Aston Villa and came away with a point after a battling 3-3 draw. The table shows that Marcelo Bielsa’s team now have a four-point advantage over Everton with the teams in 15th and 16th place respectively. In terms of the form guide, the Toffees are rock bottom of the league with just one point from their last six matches.
Everton may be the favourites but Leeds clearly have the better form and will be hopeful of another draw at the very least.
This preview now takes a look at the players who can influence this game before committing to a result and, in the first goalscorer market, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the favourite at best industry odds of 9/2. Salomon Rondon is next at 11/2 while Richarlison is out at a tempting 13/2.
For Leeds United, the first name on the list is that of Joe Gelhardt who is on offer at 15/2. Gelhardt has stepped up to cover for the injured Patrick Bamford and has one goal in four league games so far.
In terms of value from behind the main strikers, Everton’s Andros Townsend gave us a profit in the anytime market when he scored the final goal against Brentford last weekend. Townsend was a late second half substitute in that game so he should probably be avoided at 17/2 for the first goal but he is worth considering as an anytime bet once again at 17/5.
On to team bets now and Both Teams to Score continues our round up at best odds of 13/20. That’s a very short option and it’s tempting to consider ‘No’ on BTTS which is available at a top price of 29/20.
The bookies are clearly expecting a few goals in this encounter and, in the Total Goals betting, you can go Over the 2.5 line to claim a general 4/6. By pushing that to Over 3.5, the odds increase to a best of 9/5.
All that is left is a regular look at some Correct Score suggestions and, if you are edging towards a high scoring draw, a 2-2 final outcome is available at 12/1. If you think there will be a winner in this game, a 2-1 victory for Everton is quoted at best odds of 9/1 while the same result in favour of Leeds United is listed at 11/1.
Our Preview’s EFC vs LUFC Betting Tips Verdict
Throughout this preview, we’ve hinted at a drawn game and we’ll back that up with a confirmed pick. Everton have a new manager and some new January signings but that 3-1 defeat to Newcastle in midweek shows that work remains to be done.
Leeds aren’t exactly the form side in the Premier League but they’ve battled to pull away from trouble and should be capable of claiming the point. The teams may cancel each other out but there should be plenty of goals in this fixture.
Everton have a greater attacking edge since Frank Lampard and the new players arrived but clearly there are concerns at the back. There are a number of options in the individual scorer markets but we’ll switch to team bets for the second tip.
Both Teams to Score is too short for comfort so we’ll take the Over 3.5 Goals option which would return a healthy 9/5. It should be an entertaining 90 minutes for the neutral fan and this preview will look to these two betting tips to make it a profitable afternoon:
- The draw at best odds of 13/5 with Betfred or William Hill.
- Over 3.5 goals at a biggest price of 9/5 with BetVictor.
Matt Harris is a football writer for Just Bookies. Other sports in his portfolio of specialities include golf and cricket. Matt has contributed to innumerable large organisations and media brands. These include: Betfair, BetVictor, USA Betting & Unibet. 