Everton v Arsenal Predictions
Everton manager David Moyes must be a frustrated man. The Toffees took an age to get their campaign up and running but any thoughts that victory in the Merseyside derby would launch a charge up the table have been halted by their failure to see off the likes of Blackpool and Bolton in recent weeks. Indeed, Everton were fortunate to grab a point against Owen Coyle’s men at Goodison on Wednesday having been reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Marouanne Fellaini by the time Jermaine Beckford curled home a last-gasp leveller.
What Everton are beginning to prove, however, is that they are hard to beat. Since going down by the only goal against Newcastle in the middle of September, Moyes’ team have taken at least a point from seven Premier League fixtures, including that win over Liverpool and a draw against Spurs at White Hart Lane. They don’t score many goals but, on the other hand, don’t concede many either and Arsenal will have to show infinite patience if they are to break down a back four in which Phil Jagielka has been outstanding in recent weeks.
Arsenal came back well against Wolves in midweek following their shock defeat by Newcastle at the Emirates last Sunday. Arsene Wenger was without Manuel Almunia, Abou Diaby, Kieran Gibbs, Thomas Vermaelen and the suspended Laurent Koscielny at Molineux but his team still ran out comfortable winners. Koscielny will serve the second game of a two-match ban at Goodison Park but there’s a chance that Robin van Persie will be fit enough to make a first start for two months, while recalls for Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott are also on the cards
It’s true to say that the Gunners haven’t quite translated the cutting edge they’ve shown in the Champions League so far to the Premier League but van Persie’s imminent return should help on that score and Nicklas Bendtner will also offer plenty once achieving full match fitness. Arsenal’s season hasn’t been easy to predict so far but they still look well on course for Champions League qualification again, even if title aspirations are already looking a little fragile, and they are fancied to have the edge over Everton with an away win quoted at 7/5.
Predictions:
Arsenal to win @ 7/5
Arsenal to win 2-1 @ 8/1
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