Prediction and odds for the game: Everton (6/4) vs West Ham (9/5)

We are backing the draw at odds of 12/5

When: Sunday 17 October 2021, kick-off 14:00

Where: Goodison Park

On Sunday afternoon, Everton host West Ham at Goodison Park, in a clash between two teams that will be hoping to finish in the Premier League’s top-six this season.

Everton

The Toffees have enjoyed a decent start to their campaign under former Liverpool head coach Rafa Benitez. The Merseysider’s are currently fifth-place in the English top-flight table, two points adrift of league leaders Chelsea. A 1-1 draw at Manchester United last time out in the top-flight means that the home team has lost just one of their seven matches this season in the Premier League.

That draw at Old Trafford was achieved despite the Toffees missing several key players, including arguably their two most dangerous forwards in Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Neither player has recovered in time to feature here, but captain Seamus Coleman could return.

Everton have turned Goodison Park into a slight fortress once again, as they have won their last four top-flight games on home soil, having scored at least twice in all three home matches in the Premier League this season.

West Ham

Former Everton head coach David Moyes returns to his old stomping ground with his Hammers team in mixed form. Last season’s sixth-place finish was always going to be hard to replicate and the Irons have struggled slightly for consistency.

In fact, the visitors have claimed just one win from their last five outings in the English top-flight. Before the international break, Moyes team suffered a 2-1 home defeat against Brentford. The defeat means that the visitors have lost two of their previous three league matches.

A lack of clean sheets has played a part in the Irons poor start to the Premier League campaign, as they have kept just one clean sheet in their seven league outings so far.

Despite an inconsistent start to the new league season, the Hammers are unbeaten on their travels in six games, having recorded four wins. A 2-1 win at Leeds in their last away game in the Premier League also means that West Ham have scored at least twice in three of their last four league matches away from home.

West Ham boss Moyes will be hoping to name an unchanged team, although the visiting boss has fitness doubts over Czech Republic full-back Vladimir Coufal.

Conclusion

This clash is between two even teams. We would be edging towards a home win if the Toffees had their full complement of players. However, the lack of Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin will make it hard to break down the usually well organised Hammers defence. We are backing the draw, though, without those key players for the home team. The bet we recommend is under 2.5 goals, for the same reason we are backing the draw. Both teams will be solid, but the home team may just lack some firepower.

Our Tips: We are backing the draw at odds of 12/5 and/or under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 10/11. (All odds are taken from Bet365)

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Who will come out on top at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon?