Everton vs. Liverpool: EPL Previews, odds and Predictions

The Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool, the 245th Merseyside derby, will be held on Saturday at Goodison Park.

Since this is the last Everton derby contested at Goodison before the club's transfer to Bramley-Moore Dock for the 2019–20 season, it promises to be a moving event.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

The last league derby ever played at the Grand Old Lady will be Everton supporters' second most emotionally charged event this season, after only May's previous home game against Southampton.

Midweek, the blue half of Merseyside ended a five-game losing skid and a four-game scoreless drought so that they will be entering the weekend in much better spirits.

Following a run of form that had alienated many supporters and jeopardized Sean Dyche's job security, a much-needed 4-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers was just what the doctor ordered.

The Toffees are now five points clear of danger ahead of a tricky run of games, and those three points propelled them back up to fifteenth after being momentarily passed by Crystal Palace and Leicester City, who both won 24 hours earlier.

Establishing a comfortable lead over the bottom three was of the utmost importance, as Dyche's squad will face Arsenal on the road, Chelsea at home in the days before Christmas, and Manchester City on Boxing Day.

Everton has been aiming for consecutive league victories since they defeated Liverpool at Goodison in April.

However, that seems problematic given their derby past; they hadn't beaten Liverpool in back-to-back meetings since the 1984–85 season when they won the English title.

Everton has managed only four victories in 47 Premier League matches played against clubs currently atop the standings. This is a dismal record against generally better teams.

They are heavy favorites to win this game since Liverpool is their least favorite opponent, having won only six of fifty-four matches since 2000.

Before Arne Slot gets his first taste of this match, Jurgen Klopp's record away from the Blues cannot be improved. The Reds' 12-game undefeated run at Goodison Park ended in April, which was a shock.

In 2021, with the much-maligned Rafael Benitez coaching Everton, Klopp won the derby 4-1 at Goodison, his only subsequent victory in seven trips.

The 12:30 pm slot might be both a help and a burden for Liverpool, but despite all the complaining about how often they start Saturday games early, they are undefeated in eight games played at this time, with six victories.

If Liverpool were to win this crucial match, it would put more pressure on the teams behind them, while a loss would give the ones behind them more motivation.

Despite Mohamed Salah's outstanding performance in the previous match, Slot's team lost 3-3 against Newcastle United in extra time due to a Caoimhin Kelleher gaffe that allowed Fabian Schar to score a late equalizer.

With wins from Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City on the same night, the distance has narrowed significantly. It was Liverpool's third loss in 21 games under Slot.

Though they still have the best record in the division, some red flags are appearing, particularly defensively, as they let in at least two goals in an away game for the fourth game in a row on Wednesday at St. James' Park.

Everton vs. Liverpool Team News

Armando Broja made his Everton debut in the last moments of Wednesday's victory, and he made an impression, setting up two opportunities that Jack Harrison missed.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who replaced Beto in midweek and contributed to Craig Dawson's two own goals, will face further pressure with Broja's return.

Youssef Chermiti will not be available for Everton's demanding winter program until at least a week or two after his injury, while midfielders James Garner and Tim Iroegbuman are also battling to be fit.

Joe Gomez had a tough night in goal without Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley. Now that Trent Alexander-Arnold is returning, Jarrell Quansah may get the nod to start with Virgil van Dijk in Liverpool's defense.

Slot has said that goalkeeper Alisson would not be hurried back due to Kelleher's play, but with Wednesday's egregious mistake, the Brazilian may be back in the lineup shortly.

Due to his booking at Newcastle, Alexis Mac Allister will serve a suspension, and with the match being as intense as it was, it seems doubtful that Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa will be able to return.

With his two goals in midweek, Salah passed Erling Haaland as the top scorer in the Premier League. He also passed Wayne Rooney, a former Everton player, for the most Premier League games with a goal and an assist (37) after assisting Curtis Jones for the first equalizer. Now, everyone is looking at Salah.

Our Predictions

Liverpool to win @ 1.49 on Sky247.ng

The mood in Everton's locker room will be much more upbeat and buoyant after their midweek victory, but their record versus Liverpool is telling: six victories in fifty-four matches.

Despite a little slip-up on Wednesday, Liverpool are still heavy favorites for a reason; even when they weren't as polished as they are today, they still managed to beat their neighbors on occasion.

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