Prediction: Everton vs Swansea

Verdict: Everton to Win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmakers: Bet 365

A reinvigorated Everton side welcomes bottom of the table Swansea to Goodison Park for Monday Night Football. The Toffees have found a new lease of life under manager Sam Allardyce, who has shored up their defence and is finally getting the best out of Wayne Rooney. The Swans meanwhile have been struggling mightily and simply aren’t scoring enough goals to be able to reply on their above average defence. This game will be more important for the visitors, who need a positive result in order to climb out of the drop zone, but Everton will also want to continue their good run of form.

Everton

The Toffees had an awful start to the season, losing six of their first ten games, and winning just twice through those fixtures. Having spent over £100m in the summer transfer window, many people expected big things of Everton, and their fall from projected grace was mighty indeed. Manager Ronald Koeman was swiftly sacked, but caretaker boss David Unsworth did little to rectify the Merseyside club’s struggles. The arrival of relegation avoidance expert Sam Allardyce seemed to be the catalyst for improvement however, and since his arrival Everton have been slowly ascending the table.

In their last four games the Toffees have picked up ten points, scoring eight times and conceding just one goal in the process. Despite their three wins, the draw at Anfield in the Merseyside derby was perhaps the most impressive result. Everton’s newfound defensive ability shone through in that game as they blunted Liverpool’s red-hot offence. With Wayne Rooney getting amongst the goals again, and the ability to grind out wins returning courtesy of Allardyce, Everton seem to have returned to their usual high quality selves.

Team News

Sam Allardyce has been contending with a number of long-term injuries, and the man closest to making a return is Yannick Bolasie.

Sadly Ramiro Funes Mori, Ross Barkley, Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy and Leighton Baines all remain out.

Swansea 

The Swans had a slow start to the season and never really picked up the pace from there. One win in their first seven games highlighted the lack of quality amongst the Swansea squad, and no player has better exemplified their struggles than Renato Sanches. The 2016 Golden Boy arrived at the club amidst huge levels of expectation and excitement, but he has failed to register a single goal, assist, or even decent performance so far. The midfielder is not the only player who has underwhelmed, and with so much pressure put on the shoulders of young striker Tammy Abraham, it is little surprise that Paul Clement’s side are struggling for goals.

Interestingly Swansea actually have a relatively decent defensive record, and have conceded the eight fewest goals in the Premier League this season. Unfortunately they have not been able to lean on their back line due to the lack of production up front, and even Wilfried Bony’s recent form hasn’t been enough to drag his side up the table. The Swans have lost eight games this season by just one goal, and until they can turn these sorts of results into draws or narrow victories, their time in the top flight may be limited.

Team News

The Swans could well be without Wayne Routledge, who will face a late fitness test following a muscle issue. Meanwhile Kyle Bartley is the only long-term absentee.

Key Factors to Consider

• Everton are unbeaten in their last four games, winning three of those fixtures.
• The Toffees also have three clean sheets in their last four games.
• Swansea have won just one of their eight away games this season.
• The Swans have lost five times on the road in this campaign.
• Everton have scored in each of their last seven games.

Conclusion

Swansea have really been struggling recently, and their away form this season has been diabolically bad. Everton meanwhile look reinvigorated and are finally playing with some confidence, which could be enough on its own to defeat the Swans. Add to that the good form of Wayne Rooney, and the much improved Toffees defence, and this should be a comfortable win for the home side.

Verdict: Everton to Win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmakers: Bet 365