Live on ESPN: Sat 17.30: Nikica Jelavic and Everton (4/7, Hills) can beat Stoke while Arsenal and Chelsea can win in the Premier League.
Everton responded perfectly to their FA Cup drubbing at the hands of Wigan, coming out all guns blazing and defeating Manchester City 2-0 at Goodison Park, despite playing with only ten men for a third of the contest.
If the Toffees are at the same level as they were when beating the champions in that one, they should rack up another victory, this time at Stoke’s expense and William Hill price them at 4/7 to come out on top at Goodison Park.
The Potters, Stan James’ 7/1 underdogs, tend to struggle on the road, where they have managed just nine goals in 15 matches so Everton will be well backed at 5/4 (Paddy Power) to combine victory with a clean sheet and prevail ‘to nil’.
For the more ambitious, there’s also BetVictor’s 13/2 for Moyes’ side to strike twice without reply for the second match in succession and the same firm mark 7/5 against the Blues holding a lead at the end of each half.
Nikica Jelavic ended his barren spell against City, coming off the bench to grab Everton’s second and that will give the misfiring Croatian front man a major confidence boost. Subsequently, Coral’s 11/2 for Jelavic to fire the first on this occasion, is sure to be popular while BetVictor make him 13/8 to strike at any stage.
Following their meek performance against David Moyes’ charges last time out, a result that effectively saw them relinquish the title, Manchester City don’t appeal at all at 3/10 via Betfred to overcome Newcastle, although the Magpies’ dismal away record suggests that they can’t be trusted either. Subsequently, William Hill’s evens for both sides to get on the scoresheet is arguably the most attractive quote at the Etihad Stadium.
Tottenham’s top four hopes could be dented at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium, where bet365 rate a stalemate at 12/5 or Stan James post 6/1 against a 1-1 scoreline and Chelsea, at 11/10 (BetVictor) can capitalise by landing a maximum haul at Southampton.
Staying with the scrap for European places, Arsenal are home bankers at 1/4 courtesy of bet365 despite the appointment of Nigel Adkins as manager of the Gunners’ opponents Reading but Liverpool aren’t attractive at 4/5 via Paddy Power as they visit battling Aston Villa, who look overpriced at 4/1 (Stan James).
At Upton Park, Skybet make West Ham and West Brom 5/2 to share the spoils while at the bottom, Wigan might have to settle for a point at home to Norwich, an outcome available at odds of 13/5 (William Hill) and Harry Redknapp’s desperate QPR are a touch overpriced at 3/1 via bet365 as they visit Fulham for a West London derby on Monday.
Recommended Bets:
Nikica Jelavic to score first – 11/2 (Coral)
Everton, Arsenal and Chelsea treble – 3/1 (Betfred)
Everton to beat Stoke 2-0 – 13/2 (BetVictor)
Compare all Premier League odds and bet at the best price.
