15:00 Saturday

Everton vs Southampton Stats

  • Everton saw both teams to score in 58% of home games last season.
  • Everton won just 6 of their 19 home games last season.
  • Southampton have just lost centre half Jannik Vestergaard to Leicester.

Betting Tip: Southampton +0.5 asian handicap

It’s been a slightly underwhelming summer for both these sides with not much business being done so far. Rafa Benitez seems an odd appointment for Everton, his premier league record overall is decent enough but he doesn’t inspire as an innovative coach to bring something different to the Toffees, as well as bringing the obvious Liverpool links.

Ralph Hassenhuttl has probably failed to get the right balance so far at Southampton, they’ve tended to be enterprising going forward but often look suspect at the back and that can see them fail to mount a consistent and sustainable campaign. The German gaffer has also had to deal with departures of two regular starters in Danny Ings and Jannik Vestergaard. Far from ideal on the eve of the season.

Adam Armstrong looks a good replacement for Ings though, he was the second highest scorer in the second tier last year and he will cause plenty of problems getting behind slow defences this season, Everton could well fall into that category.

Everton are odds-on in most places and that really fails to appeal given Richarlison unavailable and Dominic Calvert Lewin not fully fit. The hosts had a poor home record last season and Saints tend to start seasons in a strong fashion. I’ll have a tentative play on the visitors to avoid defeat here at even-money.

Everton vs Southampton Odds

  Everton Draw Southampton
Best Odds 66/67 27/10 10/3

Everton vs Southampton Line-ups:

Everton probable line-up (via WhoScored):

Pickford, Digne, Godfrey, Keane, Coleman, Iwobi, Allan, Doucouré, Townsend, Rodríguez, Calvert-Lewin

Southampton probable line-up (via WhoScored):

McCarthy, Perraud, Salisu, Bednarek, Walker-Peters, Djenepo, Romeu, Diallo, Armstrong, Adams, Tella

Everton vs Southampton prediction

Everton 1-1 Southampton

Southampton +0.5 Asian Handicap - 1pt @ 1/1