Prediction: Everton vs West Brom

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Bet365

Despite finding initial success under Sam Allardyce, Everton have slipped back to their old ways and now remain without a win in their last six appearances. Desperate to collect their first three points of the new year, the Toffees will welcome West Brom to Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.

Everton

For the Toffees, it appears that Sam Allardyce’s honeymoon period at Goodison Park has come to an end. After the former England bosses immediate impact at Everton, Allardyce helped successfully steer the Merseyside side club into the top half of the table. Despite their initial success, Everton have slipped back to their old way in recent weeks. Although the Toffees may currently sit in ninth position and remain a comfortable seven points adrift of the drop zone, Everton have now gone six games without a Premier League win, even more worrying for Allardyce is the fact that Everton have lost their last four games on the bounce. After announcing the £20million signing of Theo Walcott from Arsenal, the Blues will be hoping that the England international adds an immediate impact in the final third. On a winless run stemming back to December, Everton have now only scored two goals in their last six appearances. However, it is not just in the attacking department that the Toffees have begun to struggle. After only shipping two goals in their opening six games under Allardyce, Everton remain without a consistent back four and have now conceded 10 goals in their last four outings.

Team News

Theo Walcott is expected to make his Everton debut following a £20m-plus move from Arsenal.

Michael Keane has recovered from a gashed foot, while fellow defender Seamus Coleman is back in full training after a broken leg but is some way from a first-team return.

West Brom

As for the Baggies, although Alan Pardew’s struggling West Brom side may still remain firmly in a relegation battle, Pardew believes that his sides recent improvements will help the Baggies climb out of the bottom three. Currently sat 19th in the table, West Brom are two points adrift of Premier League safety, however, another resilient performance on Saturday afternoon could see them jump up to 17th. After going 20 Premier League appearances without a win, the Baggies broke their duck last weekend. Picking up a vital three points in a 2-0 win over Brighton, this is now West Brom’s second consecutive win following on from their FA Cup victory over Exeter City. Although Pardew will know that the Midlands side still have some way to go in order to secure their Premier League status come May, West Brom have now only lost once in their last five appearances and will fancy their chances against an out of shape Everton side. Despite Pardew stating that their home games should be their priority, the former Newcastle manager will be desperate to turn around West Brom’s form away from the Hawthorns. Without an away victory since August, the Baggies have lost seven and drawn three of their last 10 away games.

Team News

Craig Dawson and Ahmed Hegazi both face late fitness tests but are expected to be available for West Brom.

Nacer Chadli and James Morrison are likely to remain out for several weeks.

Key Factors to Consider

• Everton have only lost twice in 14 meetings in all competitions against West Brom (W8, D4).
• In their two Premier League games in 2018, Everton have picked up no points, scored no goals and not managed a single shot on target.
• They could fail to score in three consecutive home league fixtures for the first time in 13 years.
• West Brom finally ended their club-record winless run of 20 league matches by beating Brighton last time out.West Brom have lost seven and drawn three of their last 10 league away matches.

Conclusion

On paper, Saturday afternoon appears to be a game where goals will be a rare commodity. While West Brom remain at the heart of a relegation battle, the Baggies have remained defensively strong and without conceding in their last two games, Pardew’s side will fancy their chances of maintaining their record. Meeting an Everton side who are without a win in their last six matches, the Toffees are still to registering a single shot on target for 2018. Backing under 2.5 goals at Goodison seems like the most logical bet here.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Bet365