Prediction: Everton vs Wolverhampton

August 20th 2010

After the horrible performance at Ewood Park that has cost them three points, Everton players need to wake up and smell the coffee since another slip-up can seriously damage their push for the European places. Wolverhampton, on the other hand, will be delighted after beating Stoke in their opening game and their advantage is they’ve got nothing to lose at Goodison Park.

The defeat to Blackburn ended Everton’s 12-match unbeaten run that saw them finish last season in great style. After some very good performances in pre-season, albeit against not very serious teams, the Toffees were expected to start with a bang but they just couldn’t find their game even for a moment at Ewood Park. While David Moyes’ side maybe didn’t deserve to lose, they can hardly regret anything after such a pathetic performance. The game should serve as a wake-up call for the players, who are clearly capable of much more than they showed against Blackburn but will have to show that on the pitch, where it really matters. Nonetheless, Everton are a different team when playing at home and when the fans get behind them, they can beat virtually anyone, as Manchester United and Chelsea have felt at first hand last season. Apart from Victor Anichebe, the gaffer will choose from a fully fit squad and that alone should be enough for three points against Wolves.

Mick McCarthy’s side couldn’t have hoped for a better start of their second successive Premier League campaign, having beaten hard-working Stoke side in their opening game. That will be just the boost Wolves needed to take their minds of the relegation battle for at least a couple of rounds since they are inevitably going to be involved in it at some stage of the season. With virtually the same squad as last season and one Premiership campaign behind them, Wolverhampton can hope to do a bit better than last year and maybe pick up some more points against direct rivals, but as far as games like these are concerned, I can’t see them matching teams like Everton or Villa, especially away from home. With Doyle, Fletcher, van Damme and Mouyokolo are struggling with injuries, Mick McCarthy is unlikely to risk them in a match like this as he desperately needs the players for the home game against Newcastle next weekend.

Conclusion

The game against Blackburn showed Everton still have problems on the travels but home games are another story. The Toffees regularly beat even much tougher teams than Wolves at Goodison and with Mick McCarthy’s key players struggling with injuries, home win looks like a banker here.

Verdict: Home win Everton (1)

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Paddy Power