Frank Lampard may not be the saviour Everton needed, but the team has done enough to almost seal safety from relegation.
The Toffees go into matchday 37 of the Premier League season two points ahead of 18th-place Leeds United. A draw could be enough to achieve safety due to a goal difference advantage over Leeds United.
💬 | "We're back at Goodison next and we need to show the same mentality, with more freshness."@abdoudoucoure16 on working hard to recover his place in the team and our crucial remaining games... #EFC 🔵— Everton (@Everton) May 12, 2022
💬 | "We're back at Goodison next and we need to show the same mentality, with more freshness."@abdoudoucoure16 on working hard to recover his place in the team and our crucial remaining games... #EFC 🔵
Brentford won’t be an easy team for Everton to get by. The Bees are in very good form heading into matchday 37. Although Brentford are 13th in the table, they went unbeaten in five of the last six games in the first division.
Since 2010, these teams have met three times in league and cup matches. Brentford have a slightly better head-to-head record with 2W-0D-1L versus Everton. Despite the slightly better head-to-head record, Everton thrashed Brentford 4-1 earlier this season in the FA Cup.
While Everton won the FA Cup tie between these teams, Brentford claimed a 1-0 win in the teams’ previous league encounter.
As previously mentioned, Brentford’s form has been very good. The Bees took 13 points from the last 18 points on offer in the league. They scored 11 goals and conceded five times. Thomas Frank’s team claimed a 3-0 win at home versus Southampton last time out.
Everton took 11 points from the last 18 points available in the league. The Toffees are on a three-match unbeaten streak in the division. It is this three-match undefeated run that has given them hope of survival.
The Toffees scored a mere five goals across the last six matches. The defence conceded a mere four times in that same time span. There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Everton's last six home games in the Premier League.
Lampard could be without up to six players heading into the game. The likes of defender Yerry Mina, Andros Townsend, and Fabian Delph are ruled out through injury. Meanwhile, midfielder Donny van de Beek and defender Ben Godfrey are both major doubts to make the squad.
Frank has five players on the injury list. Ethan Pinnock and Sergi Canos are both major doubts to play due to injury. Saman Ghoddos is also a major doubt following an ankle injury. Frank Onyeka and Mathias Jorgensen are set to miss the fixture through their respective injury issues.
This is the third match of the campaign between Everton and Brentford in all competitions. So far, it is one win apiece. Based on form, Saturday’s match at Goodison Park should finish 1-1 with the points shared. The result may not ultimately help Everton in the survival race.