English Premier
2011-11-19 - Everton vs Wolves
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 19 November 2011 - Kick Off 3pm
Everton
Rumours during the last two weeks suggest Everton are being well sought after by a number of rich businessmen from India or the Middle East and that can only be music to the ears of the fans who are going to be organising a protest before this game on Saturday. Supporters are disillusioned with the progress made by the club under the current owner as well as the lack of investment being made in the playing staff.
David Moyes has seen his team hit a really bad run of form, one that he will be hoping will be rectified by the two week break. Everton have fallen to 17th in the Premier League table, sitting just 1 point better off than Bolton in the relegation zone. Their record at Goodison Park is 1-1-3 this season, scoring 5 goals and conceding 7.
The bad run of form I mentioned saw Everton lose 5 of their last 6 Premier League games, including their last 2 League games at Goodison Park. Everton have failed to win any of their last 4 home games in all competitions since beating Wigan here.
Everton should have a full squad of players to pick from this week as Royston Drenthe is back from suspension.
Wolves
Mick McCarthy was under some intense pressure from the fans at Wolves rather than the board, but he must surely be relieved to have seen his side record 3 points in their game against Wigan before the international break. Molineux has been a tough place for the side to play in recent games as the fans seem ready to turn on the team, so the players could feel a little more relaxed in an away game.
Wolves' 3 points last time out saw the team move up to 13th in the table as their points tally improved to 11. That means they are only 1 point better off than Everton and a further point clear of the relegation zone so there is still plenty of work to be done. They are 1-1-3 away from home, scoring 4 goals but conceding 8.
The team had not won in 8 League games before the win over Wigan, and had lost 6 of those games as the pressure began to build on McCarthy. Wolves have lost their last 3 Premier League games away from home and they have not kept a clean sheet in 9 consecutive League games.
Steven Fletcher should return to the side this week after missing a couple of games before the international break, while Adlene Guedioura should shake off a knock. Jody Craddock will need a late fitness test to determine his availability.
Head to Head
Wolves and Everton had drawn in 3 consecutive Premier League games before Everton won 0-3 at Molineux in their latest game.
The teams have drawn twice in a row at Goodison Park, both games ending 1-1.
Prediction
Over the last couple of seasons, backing Everton at short prices at home was a quick way to the poor bank, and I still don't think they are a trustworthy side at the prices on offer.
Wolves are a better team than they have shown in recent weeks, although they have really been struggling defensively and that has been the main reason they have not been picking up points. Those struggles defensively makes it hard to really back Wolves with any confidence.
Both sides have had their problems keeping teams from scoring against them in recent games and we could see more of the same on Saturday. The 'Over 2.5 Goals' has been priced up only slightly higher than the 'Both Teams to Score' market and it is the latter that interests me in this game.
The last two times these teams have met each other at Goodison Park has seen both sides score and, with both sides having problems defensively, I feel this could be the same situation on Saturday.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Everton 1-1 Wolves
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Both teams to score @ 1.92 (BetFred)
