Everton v Middlesbrough – Prediction
Everton have gotten off to their best ever start to a season in the Premier League era. In what has been widely advertised as a 6 way title race, Everton have put forth their name as possible 7th contender. Koeman has carried over his good work from Southampton and Everton’s start under the new regime has been promising. Middlesbrough have themselves gotten off to a good start.
Four games into the season sees them in the top half of the table and Karanka will be hoping to keep them there. Away wins have been a trend this season with 41 games till now producing 17 away wins to 14 home wins. We can see Everton being tested here and won’t be surprised if they Boro come out with a point on Sunday.
Verdict: (2-2) Draw
Fixture Overview
Gameweek 5
Everton v Middlesbrough
Goodison Park, Liverpool
17-09-2016, 6.30 PM C.E.T
Betting Tips – Everton v Middlesbrough
1. Draw – 4.00 (Betvictor)
This isn’t a bet we’ll suggest you to make but the odds on banking Everton are pretty low (1.70 – William Hill). The Toffees are unbeaten so far while Boro has made the most of their relatively easy run of fixtures. This will be Karanka’s first real test in the top flight, if they can produce a defensive display as they did throughout the championship last season then they have every chance to get something out of this.
Odds for a Middlesbrough Win – 6.30 (Marathon Bet)
2. Both Teams to Score – Yes – 2.00 (888 Sport)
While it’s hard to see Boro keeping a clean sheet, Everton themselves are yet to be tested so far. Alvaro Negredo will prove to be the key here and we can see both teams scoring atleast one goal apiece.
3. Over 3.5 – 3.70 (Betvictor)
The Premier League has seen a host of high scoring affairs till now and this one has every possibility to join the list. Over 2.5 (2.08 – Marathon Bet) is a definite winner while Over 3.5 is for the brave ones.
4. BTS + Over 2.5 – 2.55 (Coral)
If two bets are sure winners why not combine them? The odds are not that great for the gamble though.
All Odds courtesy of Oddschecker [1]
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Everton
Everton come into this game on the back of a 3-0 win over Sunderland last Sunday. Romelu Lukaku opened his account this season with a superb hat-trick to hand Toffees the win. Everton are sitting 3rd in the table just two points behind early leaders Manchester City. The last time Everton won four of their opening five games of a season was in 1978/79, the Merseysiders went onto finish 4th that season and will be hoping for a similar result this term.
The form of Ross Barkley will be off concern for Ronald Koeman who replaced him at half time against Sunderland. Gerard Deulofeu looks the most likely option to step into midfield instead of the England International. Everton has a good record against Boro in the League, the Toffees have won 6 and lost just one of their previous 11 meetings.
Gareth Barry is set to make his 600th Premier League appearance against Middlesbrough
Barry will only be the third player in history to reach this milestone [2], Frank Lampard and Ryan Giggs are the other two. Sunday could see Koeman handing out a debut to Enner Valencia who joined the club on loan during transfer deadline day. The only other absentees among the Everton ranks on Sunday will be James McCarthy and Darron Gibson, both of whom are nursing their respective groin and knee injuries.
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough come into this game on the back of a 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace last Saturday. Boro’s loss was their first home defeat in 14 league games (including the Championship games). The defeat also brought to an end their unbeaten start in the league as they find themselves 9th in the table heading into game-week 5.
The Boro defense which is usually reliable was uncharacteristically poor against Palace. Karanka will be hoping his side can get their act together as they have difficult set of fixtures coming up. After the game against Everton they’ll face the likes of Arsenal, Spurs and West Ham in three of their next five games. Boro’s last win at Goodison Park came in the 1999/00 season when they came out on top with a 2-0 win.
Middlesbrough are on a 6 game unbeaten run away from home (3 Wins, 3 Draws)
Strikers Jordan Rhodes and Cristhian Stuani will miss the clash against Everton with groin and knee injuries respectively. The trio of Grand Leadbitter, Fabio Da Silva and James Husband all remain in the long term injury list.
Middlesbrough 2016-17 Betting Tips
Past Meeting – Everton v Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough had hosted Everton in a League Cup quarter final tie last season. The Toffees emerged as 2-0 winners thanks to 1st half goals from Gerard Deulofeu and Romelu Lukaku.
Where they are in the table
3rd – Everton – 4 games – 10 points – (+5 GD)
9th – Middlesbrough – 4 games – 5 points – (0 GD)
External Resources
[1] Oddschecker.com, Oddschecker Home Page
[2] Independent.co.uk, Gareth Barry on joining the “600” Club