Predication: Everton vs Arsenal

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Bet365

For our first instalment of Sunday afternoon football, Arsene Wenger’s side will be making the journey North to Merseyside as they face off against the Premier League’s most disappointing side so far this year. The Toffees have registered only two wins in 12 games in all competitions and defeat against Arsenal on Sunday could draw an end to Ronald Koeman’s time in charge of The Blues.

Everton

For Ronald Koeman’s struggling Everton side, they will be looking to try and get their season back on track and end their current woeful run of form, sadly for The Toffees, their season shows no signs of turning around at this point. Pressure is really beginning to mount on the former Southampton boss as Everton have endured their worst start to a Premier League campaign in their last nine years.

Currently sat in 15th spot, Koeman’s misfiring Blues are flirting with relegation and only sit two points adrift of the drop zone, without a win in their last four appearances in all competitions, Everton enter Sunday afternoon’s game coming off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Lyon and sit bottom of Group E in the Europa League.

In terms of their current Premier League form, Everton have only managed to come away with maximum points on just two occasions this year. The Toffees have also been struggling when playing at Goodison, epitomised by a 3-0 home defeat to Spurs in early September, Everton have also dropped points against Burnley at home this season.

With constant speculation surrounding Koeman’s job, a defeat against Arsenal on Sunday could well mark the end of his tenure on Merseyside. After dropping a number of key players for their mid-week clash with Lyon, Koeman will be looking to recall his senior players in an attempt to secure some stability.

Team News

England’s all-time leading goalscoring Wayne Rooney looks set to be recalled to Everton’s starting 11 after being rested for their Europa League contest on Thursday night. Along with Rooney, Irish international James McCarthy could make his return to first team action after recovering from a knee injury.

Morgan Schneiderlin who limped off on Thursday night is expected to feature on Sunday despite not being 100%. Everton will also be welcoming back Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka and Oumar Niasse who is ineligible to play in the Europa League.

However, Ross Barkley, Yannick Bolasie and Seamus Coleman are all still sidelined with injuries.

Arsenal

Although Arsenal might be sat sixth in the Premier League table, The Gunners’ fans will know that it is flattering judging on Arsenal’s poor start to the season, already nine points behind league leaders Manchester City, Arsene Wenger’s side have already lost three times this year including an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool.

Entering Sunday’s clash against Everton, Arsenal are also coming off the back of a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Watford last weekend. Although Wenger’s side may have won seven in their last nine in all competitions, Arsenal certainly don’t look like a team who can mount a serious title challenge.

Arsenal’s away form also leaves allot to be desired, The Gunners have conceded nine goals in their six away games this season and kept just two clean sheets, in fact, Arsenal could go five away league matches without a win for the first time in 10 years.

Team News

It looks like Arsene Wenger will be making a raft of changes for their trip to Everton tomorrow afternoon. After the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette did not make the journey to Serbia for their midweek 1-0 win against Red Star Belgrade, all three men look set to start against Everton.

Both Aaron Ramsey and Laurent Koscielny face late fitness tests, however, England international Danny Welbeck still has not recovered and will be sidelined along with Calum Chambers, Francis Coquelin and Shkodran Mustafi.

Key Factors to Consider

• Arsenal have won 11 games away at Everton – only West Ham and Aston Villa have won their more times in Premier League history
• Wayne Rooney’s first Premier League goal was against Arsenal in October 2002 – he has scored more Premier League goals against the Gunners than any other player (11)
• Only Crystal Palace (29) have conceded more Premier League goals away from home than Arsenal (26 – level with Bournemouth) in 2017
• Arsenal are one short of 1500 Premier League goals under Wenger
• Everton have eight points from eight games – their worst start to a Premier League campaign for nine years.

Conclusion

Although Everton have struggled for consistency in front of goal this year, The Toffees have now scored in five of their last six contests and given the fact that Arsenal have only managed to keep two clean sheets in their last nine away trips, Ronald Koeman’s side should be expecting to add to their tally.

Sadly for Everton fans, the Toffees have been abysmal at home this season and despite being handed a relatively easy start to the year, Koeman’s side have already conceded at home to the likes of Apollon, Burnley, and Lyon. Both teams to score at 7/10 looks like a safe bet.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Bet365