Everton vs Sheff Utd. Prediction, Preview, Team News and Betting Tips
Everton vs Sheff Utd. Premier League
The race for European football is going to the wire, yet whilst hopefuls Everton have avoided defeat in six of their last seven Premier League (PL) fixtures, too many draws (four – two more than any other side in that time) has stunted their progression. A positive for Carlo Ancelotti’s men has been securing a clean sheet in four of their previous six PL matches – another here could help them complete a first league double over the visitors since 1972/73.
Two of the ‘Toffees’ final three league games are at home. That’d be a positive for some but probably not for Everton considering another home loss this PL season (W5, D4, L8) would hand them their joint-most in a PL campaign (nine) at Goodison Park since 1993/94. Everton possess this underwhelming home record despite trailing at HT in just two of their 17 matches here (HT: W6, D9).
Relegated Sheffield United are playing only for pride, yet that doesn’t seem to be giving them much motivation after seven defeats in their last eight PL encounters (W1). Defeat would mean that a 12th PL side has secured the double over them, matching a record set by Derby in 2007/08. Furthermore, it’s only that Derby side and two others across the competition’s history who’ve failed to score on more occasions than the ‘Blades’ in a single campaign (20).
Particularly grim on the road, Sheffield have picked up only four points from a possible 51 (W1, D1, L15). One positive they can cling on to is a decent record of four wins from their previous six Everton league visits (L2) – all four saw them score exactly two goals.
Players to score: Former Blade Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored two first-half goals across his last three PL Everton appearances. Meanwhile, David McGoldrick’s last two goal scoring appearances for Sheffield ended in 1-0 victories.
Hot stat: Everton have conceded 2+ goals in seven of their previous 11 PL games vs relegated sides.
Prediction: Everton [2] vs [0] Sheff Utd.