Who will keep up with the top?
Everton FC are fighting a free fall on Monday night. The Toffees have now failed to win for three consecutive Premier League games. Recently they even suffered two defeats. For the first time since autumn 2020, they are now threatened with a third defeat in a row. In terms of the table, the Blue team’s fall from grace would continue. At the moment, they are only in ninth place.
For the team of coach Carlo Ancelotti, the tenth matchday in the Premier League is not only a trend-setting, but also a complicated away game on the agenda. Ahead of the match between Wolverhampton and Everton, the odds underline that the visitors from Liverpool are currently only considered outsiders. On the one hand, because of their own poor form, but on the other hand also because of the decent condition of the home team.
Wolves have been on a roll lately, picking up 13 points from their last six league games. The last time Lage’s team lost was more than a month ago, which is why a prediction in favour of the home side in the Wolverhampton vs Everton clash is certainly justified. Even more attractive, however, are bets on the number of goals, because in view of the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, no offensive spectacle is expected on Monday evening.
Wolverhampton – Statistics & current form
After a miserable start to the season with four defeats in the first five matchdays, after Wolves also had only two measly goals to their name, Portuguese coach Bruno Lage was already under discussion internally and in the media. However, as the 45-year-old successor to his compatriot Nuno Espirito Santo has big shoes to fill, those responsible granted him a little more time and are currently benefiting from the patience shown.
The Wanderers have earned ten points from their last four games. Only the respectable 1-1 draw at Leeds United the previous week ended a three-match winning streak that saw Wolves climb to eleventh in the standings. If the Orange and Blacks win again on Monday evening, they could even move up to seventh place in the intermediate rankings.
Wolves weaknesses are: “Monday” and “1st half “
From a statistical point of view, however, the venture at home against the Toffees will be anything but a foregone conclusion. For example, Wolves have won only one of their last six Premier League home games against their upcoming opponents. Furthermore, their record in Monday night games reads extremely poor. Only one treble in ten attempts on the first working day of the working week (three draws, six defeats) means that when the fixture list is published in the West Midlands, they are secretly hoping not to have to play on Mondays.
Another interesting statistic relates to weakness in first halves. If we were to look at the isolated table after 45 minutes, Lage’s side would be in fourth last place with only one lead at the break (five draws, three defeats) and only two goals scored. Only Crystal Palace scored less in the first half than the Wanderers, but they have not only had this handicap since this season. Since their return to the top flight in 2018/19, no other team in the Premier League has scored fewer first-half goals than Wolves.
It might therefore be worth considering a bet between Wolverhampton and Everton that it will still be 0-0 by the break. The fact that the Wolves defence is one of the best in the English top flight, with only nine goals conceded, would also be an argument in favour. On only two of the nine match days did keeper Sa have to make more than one save. Marcal, Jonny, Neto, Mosquera and Bueno will all miss out through injury.
Projected Wolverhampton line-up:
Sa; Kilman, Coady, Saiss; Semedo, Neves, Moutinho, Ait Nouri; Traore, Jimenez, Hwang
Last matches played by Wolverhampton:
Premier League
11/01 2021 – Wolverhampton 2 – 1 Everton
10/23 2021 – Leeds 1 – 1 Wolverhampton
10/16 2021 – Aston Villa 2 – 3 Wolverhampton
10/02 2021 – Wolverhampton 2 – 1 Newcastle United
09/26 2021 – Southampton 0 – 1 Wolverhampton
Everton – Statistics & current form
Aspiration and reality have often been far apart at Everton Football Club in recent years. Despite many expensive transfers and a decent squad overall, the Toffees have lagged behind their own expectations season after season. The 2021/22 season is once again no exception.
While the start was still promising with ten points from the first four matches, the form curve has clearly shown a downward trend in recent weeks. In the last five games, only one three-pointer was scored. Instead, they have suffered three defeats in the same period, including the disgraceful 2:5 at home against promoted Watford the previous week. Particularly embarrassing: Four of the five goals conceded by the Blues came in the final quarter of an hour. Since data collection began, this phenomenon has happened only once in the English Premier League.
Everton want to show a reaction
So coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team will be eager to make amends. A three-point win could keep them in touch with the top, but it will require a significant improvement, especially defensively.
However, in view of the many eventualities, it is a great risk to make a prediction on the outcome of the match between Wolverhampton and Everton, so we will take a different look at the statistics for the first 45 minutes. In nine first halves involving the Toffees, only eight goals have been scored so far (4:4); after the break, on the other hand, there have been almost three times as many (21). Liverpool’s numbers are therefore no obstacle to playing the odds on a goalless first half between Wolves and Everton.
Doucoure, Mina, Calvert-Lewin and Andre Gomes are currently on the extremely prominent injured list. At least the Italian coach will probably be able to rely on Richarlison again. The Brazilian Olympic gold medallist returned from injury the previous week and is expected to liven up the attack. He will be supported by former Leverkusen Gray, who has already been involved in five goals in nine PL games this season.
Predicted Everton line-up:
Pickford; Holgate, Keane, Godfrey, Digne; Townsend, Davies, Allan, Iwobi; Gray; Richarlison
Last games played by Everton:
Premier League
11/01 2021 – Wolverhampton 2 – 1 Everton
10/23 2021 – Everton 2 – 5 Watford
10/17 2021 – Everton 0 – 1 West Ham
10/02 2021 – Manchester United 1 – 1 Everton
09/25 2021 – Everton 2 – 0 Norwich
Wolverhampton – Everton Direct Comparison / H2H Record
With 59 wins compared to 42 defeats and 25 draws, Everton lead the direct comparison in the English top flight. Wolves have won just one of their last six home Premier League games against the Toffees (three draws, two defeats). In pre-season, Liverpool prevailed in the first and second legs. Now, for the first time since the 1960s, a third successive triumph against their West Midlands rivals beckons.
Wolverhampton – Everton Tip
At the end of the tenth matchday in the English Premier League Wolverhampton and Everton face each other on Monday evening. According to the betting odds, the favourites are the hosts, who have been in good form recently and have picked up ten of a possible twelve points from their last four matches. If Wolves can add another three points to their tally, they will overtake the Toffees in the standings.
Even though the visitors from Merseyside are not in a great shape at the moment, they have the individual quality to achieve a good result. Especially in view of the fact that they already won the first and second leg against Wolves last year. The opponent therefore seems to suit them, which is why we tend to refrain from betting on the three-way market.
Instead, in the Wolverhampton vs Everton match, we prefer to bet on it still being 0-0 at the break. The main argument is that neither team has managed much in the first 45 minutes so far this season. The home side are only on two goals before the break; Everton have also only struck four times in the first period. Given the balance in this clash, moreover, neither team will want to go behind.
We therefore play the attractive 2.65 at bookmaker Unibet on the under 0.5 (1.HZ) and risk a stake of five units for it.
