Premier League 
Brentford make the journey north to face Everton this Saturday in a clash of extreme importance for The Toffees’ push for survival and for Brentford’s aspirations to see some level of European football next season.
Everton’s season has been a rollercoaster, with The Toffees currently sitting in the relegation zone. However, with the departure of Frank Lampard and the acquisition of Premier League veteran Sean Dyche, Everton are now on equal points with Leeds and only a win away from 15th place.
In their last five Premier League games Everton have a single win, a draw and three losses. Their win was one of the most important fixtures in the run, standing-wise. In the clash against 17th-place Leeds, a win was a must, with The Toffees picking up a 1 - 0 win with a goal from Seamus Coleman. Their three losses include, a 2 - 0 loss to Aston Villa, a 4 - 0 thrashing against Arsenal and a painful 2 - 0 loss in the Merseyside Derby. Their most recent game finished 2 - 2 away at Nottingham Forest, meaning a win against Brentford is even more important.
Brentford have been having a more than positive second season in the Premier League. The Bees currently sit ninth, just four points adrift of the last European football place. This good run could be slightly hindered in the future, with Ivan Toney’s participation in question for the rest of the season.
The Bees are in a mix of form, with three draws and two wins in their last five Premier League games. Brentford dispatched Bournemouth 2 - 0 and Southampton 3 - 0. However, they struggled against the likes of Crystal Palace and Leeds, drawing both encounters. Their highlight of recent games, though, is likely to be holding top-of-the-league Arsenal to a 1 - 1 draw at the Emirates.
Everton and Brentford have only met 21 times in their histories with Brentford currently holding the bragging rights for the fixture. The Toffees have eight wins, the teams have shared the points on just three occasions and The Bees have been victorious ten times. Their first meeting came all the way back in 1936, a 2 - 1 win for Brentford. However, the most recent meeting ended in a 1 - 1 draw back in August with Anthony Gordon and Vitaly Janelt on the scoresheet.
Janelt may just be a player to watch this weekend, as the midfielder came in clutch for his team in the draw with Crystal Palace, grabbing the equaliser in the 96th minute. That goal was his third for the season and may grab him a starting place for The Bees at Goodison Park.
One to watch for Everton may be their giant in midfield, Amadou Onana. Since his move from Lille in the summer, Onana has been a bright spark in a gloomy season for Everton. Though he doesn’t score many goals, only having one goal and assist this season, Onana was the necessary addition to the Everton midfield.
