Prediction: Everton vs Cardiff

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 4/1

Bookmaker: bet365

The Premier League will be back in our lives tomorrow afternoon, and we get the feeling that a lot of fans are happy about that. While England’s triumph in the Nations League was great there’s nothing quite like the domestic game, and two teams who will attempt to prove that are Everton and Cardiff City. Despite their shortcomings this season both teams still have a lot to be hopeful for, and it’ll be interesting to see how they match up against one another on Merseyside.

Everton

Everton have always been viewed as a team that are there or thereabouts in the top half of the Premier League, but now, they’ll be looking to push on with a potential Europa League spot at stake this season. They’ve got a decent squad that could use a few more additions in January, and it’s not like they don’t have the profile to go out and get them. Finding that cohesion is going to be vital for them because if they can do that, then we could quite easily see them rise up through the ranks from now until May.

Team News

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andre Gomes could be doubts after missing the international break through injury, with fans waiting nervously to see if Ademola Lookman will also be fit.

Cardiff

Cardiff were considered to be certainties for relegation at the start of the season, but fans didn’t seem to take the tenacity of teams managed by Neil Warnock into account. The Welsh side have battled tooth and nail with the majority of teams they’ve played so far, and they certainly aren’t an easy game for anyone. If they can steady things up at the back then there’s a very good chance they could steer themselves away from the bottom three, especially when you analyse the quality of the teams around them.

Team News

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing probably won’t make the starting XI, although Sean Morrison has indeed been cleared to play.

Factors to Consider

• The game will be played at Everton’s Goodison Park.
• Everton have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six games.
• Cardiff have won two and lost four of their last six games.
• The two teams are tied at 13-13 in the overall head to head standings, with nine draws.
• In their last meeting in March 2014, Everton won 2-1.

Conclusion

While Everton are clearly going to be the favourites in this one, we tend to think that there’s going to be a ‘change of pace’ so to speak with the Bluebirds who will likely gain a lot of inspiration from their recent win against Brighton. We think they’re going to come right at the Toffees from the word go which will catch them somewhat off guard, and we actually think they’ll take the lead before the first half comes to an end. Then, late in the game, Everton will grab a somewhat fortunate equaliser to ensure they come away with a point.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 4/1

Bookmaker: bet365