Local rivals Everton and Liverpool collide in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off in a Merseyside Derby that pits two teams in awkward form against each other. Four of the last five derbies at Goodison Park have ended in stalemate, though Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are still odds-on favourites to prevail this weekend.
This pack has all the stats you need to make a bet builder, and bet on goals, shots, corners and cards, so you can bet with confidence.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Everton will be able to call upon new signing Neal Maupay for the first time this weekend, though the Toffees enjoyed some success at Brentford and Leeds with Demarai Gray, Anthony Gordon and Dwight McNeil deployed as a fluid front three, and Frank Lampard might prefer to keep faith with that trio for the time being.
James Tarkowski and Conor Coady are developing chemistry at centre-half, so expect to see them paired in a flat back four against Liverpool with Amadou Onana sitting just in front for added protection.
Jurgen Klopp is unlikely to veer away from his tried and trusted 4-3-3 formation against Everton. Roberto Firmino should retain his place at the apex of the Reds’ front three following an impressive haul of three goals and three assists in two games against Bournemouth and Newcastle.
New loan signing Arthur Melo should be registered in time to play, though he is unlikely to be thrown straight into the cut and thrust of a Merseyside Derby.
TEAM STATS
Somewhat unsurprisingly, Everton rank in the bottom six for average goals scored per game (0.75) this season, though the summer departure of Richarlison and absence through injury of Dominic Calvert-Lewin was always likely to blunt the Toffees in the final third. Everton’s early xGA per game figure (1.91) is a major cause for concern too, and keeper Jordan Pickford has been far too busy for Frank Lampard’s liking.
Despite notching four fewer goals overall, Liverpool have been mustering more attempts per game (18.8) than Manchester City this season, though Bournemouth bashing aside, the Reds haven’t been making the most of their huge 2.59 xG per game. Liverpool are still several places shy of the Premier League’s summit, though they are division leaders for average corners won per 90 minutes so far (7.4).
Player shots and shots on target
Homegrown hero Anthony Gordon has shot to prominence this season thanks to his goals and his protracted move to Chelsea and it’s no surprise to see the youngster ranking first for both shots (3.75) and shots on target per 90 (2.75). Centre-half and set-piece threat James Tarkowski is an interesting entry on the list with 1.25 attempts per appearance on average.
Mohamed Salah is conspicuous by his absence at the top of Liverpool’s shot and shots per 90 stats. The Egyptian inked a fresh bumper contract in the summer, though he hasn’t quite been at his most impactful so far this season, pinging just 0.8 attempts on target per game.
player goals and assists
Everton have notched just four times in five Premier League fixtures this season with academy graduate Anthony Gordon responsible for 50% of their efforts. Demarai Gray hit a late leveller against Nottingham Forest, while former Blue, Lucas Digne, put through his own net when he faced the Toffees for Aston Villa.
All of Liverpool’s forward options are up and running for the season bar the injured Portuguese attacker Diogo Jota. With six goal contributions so far, Roberto Firmino has been the Reds’ most effective player in the final third.
everton cards
Livewire winger Anthony Gordon hasn’t been afraid to stick his boot in when Everton are out of possession and the fiery 21-year-old has been carded in each of his last three appearances as a result. Gordon should have plenty of scope to throw his weight around again on Saturday against possession-hungry Liverpool.
Defenders have adopted a tough approach with Liverpool’s winger Luiz Diaz this season and the dangerous Colombian comes up against no-nonsense Scottish fullback Nathan Patterson Saturday in a match-up that’s worth following closely.
Match-ups to Watch:
Nathan Patterson vs Luiz Diaz
Anthony Gordon vs Andrew Robertson
Tom Davies vs Fabinho
liverpool cards
Liverpool are generally one of the Premier League’s cleanest teams when in terms of fouls and cards, though Trent Alexander-Arnold could double his tally of cautions this weekend. the England international has looked vulnerable defensively this season and Everton have enough pace in forward areas to test his competence.
Everton’s most fouled player this season, Anthony Gordon, likes to drift centrally from the flanks, so watch out for Andrew Robertson and enforcer Fabinho as they try to limit the 21-year-old’s impact. Demarai Gray has also been on the end of some bruising challenges and he has the running power to draw desperate tackles from Alexander-Arnold.
Match-ups to Watch:
Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Demarai Gray
Fabinho vs Amadou Onana
Fabinho vs Anthony Gordon
_______
Let’s see some winners from this one please. Keep the stakes low and stick to budget this busy weekend.
