Everton Look To Close In On West Ham

Everton could move to within one point of fourth-placed West Ham United with a win over Sam Allardyce`s boys on Saturday (22nd November, 15:00).

The Hammers have been impressive and are currently five games unbeaten in the Premier League, though Roberto Martinez`s Toffees are building momentum. Everton have managed to remain undefeated in the Europa League despite a four year absence and were last on the wrong end of a league result at the beginning of October. A late Leighton Baines penalty was needed to grab a point away at Sunderland last time out after Sebastian Larsson broke the deadlock in the second half. Whilst the performance was positive, it was clear to see that the side were suffering a hangover from their mid-week 3-0 win over Lille in Europe.

Both Leon Osman and Phil Jagielka fired home in the first half before Steve Naismith found the back of the net mid-way through the second. Lille were powerless to respond and the comprehensive victory more than made up for the lacklustre effort against Swansea on the first day of November. That fixture ended goalless.

The draw with the Swans was the first time the Toffees failed to score at least two at home all season. Martinez`s men are 13/5 (Betvictor) to get back to their high-scoring ways and hit exactly two past their East London visitors. They are also 11/4 with Coral to score over 2.5 goals.

Such odds aren`t at all bad considering that the Hammers haven`t kept a clean sheet away from home all season. Their two November games also haven`t produced a win despite their undefeated record with draws against both Stoke and Aston Villa.

Big Sam saw his men come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 away at Stoke`s Britannia Stadium on the first day of the month. Victor Moses scored the first of the match before Mame Biram Diouf doubled City`s advantage. Second half goals from Enner Valencia and recalled England man Stewart Downing made sure that the Hammers rich vein of form continued.

It was another draw in their final game before the international break. Neither the Boleyn Ground outfit nor Aston Villa could find their way past their opposition`s defence to hit the back of the net.

The bookies are interpreting the pair of draws as what many see as their inevitable downturn in form with Everton the 20/23 (boylesports) favourites for the clash. West Ham can be backed at 7/2 with most bookmakers whilst those keen on the Claret and Blue side overseeing their third straight tie can pick up odds of 29/10, also with boylesports.

Irons boss Allardyce will have to try to capture the win without England international Downing who limped off the pitch during his country`s game with Scotland. Roy Hodgson`s selection of the 30 year old was widely condemned though he played well until being substituted after telling of problems with his knee.

Also set to be out for West Ham is star striker Diafra Sakho. The goal machine was left out of Senegal`s African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Botswana with what was thought to be a back injury. It`s the striker`s second injury of the season having successfully recovered from shoulder troubles.

The Merseyside club are said to be without four key faces for their home clash. Both Gareth Barry (ankle) and James McCarthy (hamstring) picked up knocks in the 1-1 draw with the Black Cats and are still said to be struggling to reach full fitness.

Meanwhile, Leighton Baines withdrew from the England squad with a hamstring concern and Darron Gibson (knee) only managed 70 minutes for the Republic of Ireland. Both Baines and Gibson will join long-term absentees Antolin Alcaraz (shoulder), Arouna Kone and Bryan Oviedo (both knee) and John Stones (ankle) on the sidelines.

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20/11/2014     © Frixo 2024