Everton Favourites Against Lacklustre Lille

Europa League Group H table-toppers Everton invite French side Lille to Goodison Park tonight (6th November) in an effort to maintain their position at the top of the pile.

Halfway through the round of group games and Roberto Martinez`s men have accrued five points and a goal difference of three. Bundesliga also-rans Wolfsburg currently occupy second place with four points whilst Lille are in third with three.

The competition is still wide open, however, as Krasnodar of Russia could lay down their own bid to progress to the knockout stage of the competition despite being rooted to the foot of the table with two points.

Everton started their campaign as they meant to go on with a stunning 4-1 victory over Dieter Hecking`s Wolfsburg back in September. Two goals in either half, including an own goal from Ricardo Rodriguez and a penalty from Leighton Baines, saw the home side secure their first victory in Europe for four years in front of their home fans.

A late goal from veteran striker Samuel Eto`o was needed eight minutes from time to draw away from home against Krasnodar whilst the Toffees third match of the campaign against Lille remained goalless. The same outcome can be backed at 17/2 with Betvictor, Coral and sportingbet.

The Merseyside club go into the match off the back of a three game unbeaten run in the Premier League. Martinez`s men saw off Aston Villa in a 3-0 win prior to their last Lille match. They also hit three past bottom club Burnley three days later. Hot-shot Belgian Romelu Lukaku hit the back of the net in both matches whilst Eto`o grabbed a brace against Sean Dyche`s Clarets. No Blues player could break down Swansea`s defence in their 0-0 draw last time out though Lukaku is the 13/8 favourite with Spreadex to snatch a goal against Lille. Former Barcelona man Eto`o is 7/4 (bet365).

Despite finishing third in Ligue One last season, Rene Girard`s Lille have hit an unfortunate bit of form that has seen them free-fall down the table. The Great Danes are without a win in four in the league and are yet to score more than two goals in any game this season. With 16 points from 12 games, the 2010-11 champions are 12th and a massive 12 points off the title pace. More concerning is that they are only two losses away from flirting with relegation to the second division of French football. The three-time French champions` barren patch of form means that the home side are the 20/23 (Betvictor) favourites to secure all three points. An unlikely victory for the French club can be backed at 4/1 with a number of bookmakers, with a second draw in the space of three weeks available at 13/5 with bet365.

Everton will be attempting to grab a victory with a trio of key faces out after sustaining injuries. Reliable Paraguay international Antolin Alcaraz is expected to be sidelined for up to three months after dislocating his shoulder in the team`s bore draw against the Swans. Such a blow for the experienced defender will see youngster Tyias Browning make his way into the squad for the first time since replacing Tony Hibbert in the side`s 2-1 defeat away at Manchester United.

Elsewhere, Arouna Kone is also out as he continues to struggle with a knee injury that has seen him miss the start of the Premier League season and Kevin Mirallas will be unavailable for the clash after tweaking his hamstring.

The appearance of Divock Origi will be an added incentive for the boys in blue. Lille`s top striker is currently on loan from their Merseyside rivals Liverpool and will be under pressure to simultaneously propel the French side forward and halt the progress of his parent club`s rivals. The 19-year-old Belgian is 17/5 (888sport, unibet) to hit the back of the net at any time.

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06/11/2014     © Frixo 2026