Everton vs Liverpool Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

League leaders Liverpool took a blow to their title ambitions in the week as they threw away a 3-2 lead in the last minute to only take a point at Newcastle. After successive home wins over Real Madrid and Manchester City, it was a result that brought the Reds back down to earth and a trip to their city rivals is probably not the ideal fixture to have on the back of that.

Everton were victorious in this meeting last season, winning 2-0, and have only lost two of their last 12 games at home to their Merseyside rivals. Sean Dyche’s side have also developed a bit of resilience on their own patch. After losing their first two home games of the season, they are now unbeaten in their last five at Goodison Park in the league, three of which were drawn.

Liverpool are undoubtedly favourites for this game but this is not a fixture they have performed well in during recent years and confidence might be a bit shaky after their midweek draw. Everton 1-1 Liverpool

The last-ever Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park takes place on Saturday in what will certainly be an enthralling encounter.

• Date: 07/12/2024
• Kick Off Time: 12:30
• Location: Goodison Park, Liverpool

Bragging rights are always up for grabs in derbies but Everton’s move to their new stadium next season makes for an extra narrative around this meeting with it being the last clash between the sides at Goodison Park. Given Liverpool currently lead the way in the Premier League, the Toffees will also be desperate to put a dent in their rivals’ title charge so there is plenty at stake and no doubt plenty of motivation for both teams in this match.

The Red half of Merseyside has certainly been the dominant force of the two sides in the modern era yet this meeting is one that Liverpool seldom get the better of. Just two wins from their last 12 trips across Stanley Park firmly puts Goodison Park into the ‘Bogey Ground’ category for the Reds so they will be desperate to put that right for their last-ever visit.

Whilst the hosts appear to find themselves in another relegation battle this season, their recent home form will certainly give them confidence going into this match with no defeats in their last five on their own patch. The 4-0 win over Wolves in midweek won’t have harmed that either although the result perhaps doesn’t tell the full story. Two own goals and an xG of just 1.02 suggest the scoreline was flattering but Sean Dyche’s men were still deserving of their victory, regardless. It does point to a wider issue though for Everton in that they are creating very little. They sit in the bottom three this campaign for expected goals whilst even after that 4-0 victory, the Toffees sit 17th on goals scored.

That doesn’t bode well when about to face the Premier League’s best defence although the Reds have conceded seven of their 11 league goals in their last three away fixtures. Liverpool come into the match having still only lost one game in all competitions this season, that shock home defeat to Nottingham Forest back in September, but did have a setback in their quest for the title last time out to Newcastle, dropping points in a 3-3 thriller.

Form and, on occasion, tactics can often go out the window in a derby, especially in this one and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Everton take a similar approach to how Newcastle went about their game with the Reds. High and compact pressing with a particular focus on winning the ball in midfield was key to the Magpies controlling the first 45 minutes of the game and in turn, that pumped up the crowd.

Liverpool’s insistence on trying to play through the middle at St. James’ Park saw them caught out time and time again and their midfield were second-best for large parts of the game. Where Everton might not be able to match Liverpool in terms of quality, they can certainly make up for it in terms of tenacity, emotion, and home advantage.

The problem the Toffees have is dealing with an in form Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian is the talk of the town at the moment, not just because of his electric performances but also due to his expiring contract. Salah scored twice and assisted the other against Newcastle last time out taking him up to 13 league goals (the highest in the division) and 8 assists. Even at 32 years old, the Reds’ Number 11 is still performing to an elite standard and is surely worthy of a new deal.

The Game Is Available To Watch On TNT Sports and Discovery+

Everton Team News:

Everton have no fresh injury concerns with James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam and Youssef Chermiti all expected to still be out. Armando Broja made his first appearance for the club off the bench against Wolves in the week after injury so his presence is a welcome one.

Liverpool Team News:

Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota both made appearances for Liverpool’s Under 21s this week as they stepped up their returns from injury. One or both could potentially be on the bench at the weekend as a result. Alisson Becker and Kostas Tsimikas are still expected to be unavailable whilst Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate are longer-term absentees.

Everton’s form has been mixed although they come into the match unbeaten in five at home. The Toffees have only lost two of their last ten as well although five of those have been draws, three of which were 0-0, against Newcastle, West Ham and Brentford with Dyche’s men often involved in cagey affairs. That hasn’t been the case in their last two though where they lost 4-0 to Manchester United but reversed that with their own 4-0 win over Wolves.

Prior to their draw with Newcastle last time out, Liverpool had been on a seven-game winning run in all competitions which had included victories over the English, German, Spanish and European Champions in the form of Manchester City, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid. The Reds also defeated Aston Villa and Brighton in that spell.

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