Everton host West Ham in the final FA Cup third round tie and this Tuesday night encounter promises to be an interesting clash between two sides enjoying very different seasons in the Premier League.
West Ham are currently seventh, just four points off fourth place and are doing fantastically well. In contrast Everton are flirting dangerously close to the relegation zone and have accumulated just 21 points from their opening 20 games of the season to sit down in 13th place – just four points above Crystal Palace who occupy 18th place.
The Toffees have lost seven of their last nine in all competitions, including their last four Premier League games, and look short on confidence, not to mention short on players as injuries continue to take their toll. Regular keeper Tim Howard will miss this one and second choice Joel Robles looks shaky to say the least. When you add in the fact that no side has conceded more goals from individual errors than Everton this season it is hard to justify odds of just 20/21 (BetVictor) on the home win.
The most likely explanation for that is that Everton have a very good record against their opponents here, including a 2-1 victory at the end of November. Everton have beaten the Hammers in each of the last three games between the sides at Goodison and have not lost such a fixture since 2005 and, including games played in east London, the recent record reads 17 wins for the Toffees, seven draws and just three wins for the Hammers. In the face of those stats the bookies price the visitors out at 3/1 – best odds available at Bet365 – and the draw at 11/4 (BetVictor) and so perhaps there is some logic behind Everton’s odds-on favouritism.
Perhaps more importantly, West Ham themselves are stuttering of late, with just one win in their last five and only a single point won from their three games since Christmas. Given they have been poor on the road and unimpressive against the bigger sides in general, perhaps this FA Cup clash will provide Everton with some welcome relief.
Everton v West Ham Betting Tips
- Both teams to score – League games at Goodison this season average 3.44 goals, the highest aggregate in the top flight and their Europa League contests have also been high scoring affairs and so backing BTTS looks good here at odds of 4/6 with Bet365.
- Everton to win and BTTS – Whilst the home side are short on confidence they are sure to be fired up for the FA Cup and manager Roberto Martinez has a strong record in the competition. Given West Ham have started to falter too, backing the home win and both teams to score looks great value at 27/10 with Coral.
- Everton to win 3-2 – As said, Everton’s home games have been goalfests and with West Ham’s away matches averaging 3.22 goals too we think this could be a classic, with 3-2 worth a speculative bet at huge odds of 25/1 with Sky Bet.