The English Premier League continues this weekend as we enter the 14th round of fixtures and on Saturday evening, we have a meeting between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park.
The hosts begin this game on 23 points while the visitors are on 14 points.
Textbook knee slide. 😎#LEIEVE pic.twitter.com/X7tfxDA3t4— Everton (@Everton) December 16, 2020
Textbook knee slide. 😎#LEIEVE pic.twitter.com/X7tfxDA3t4
Everton come into the match following an excellent 2-0 Victory at Leicester City on Wednesday night. It was a big game for both teams as they attempt to enter the mix for the Champions League qualifying places and it was The Toffees who came out on top. That result means Everton are undefeated in 4 of their last 5 Premier League matches.
During that run they have defeated Fulham and Leicester City away, plus Chelsea at home. Everton also picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at Burnley. It has been a good return to form for Everton following a string of disappointing results that saw them lose 3 matches in succession.
Trends show Everton have seen under 2.5 goals in each of their last 4 Premier League games, that includes each of their last 2 matches on home soil. Keeping a clean sheet at home has proved difficult for Everton this season and they have kept out the opposition just once in their last 7 games in all competitions at Goodison Park.
Arsenal make the trip north having been held to a 1-1 draw at home by Southampton. The Gunners found themselves 1-0 down at half time thanks to a goal by former player, Theo Walcott. However, Arsenal scored the equaliser early in the second half but the red card to Gabriel meant it was always going to be difficult for them to win the game.
That result means Arsenal have failed to win any of their last 6 matches in the Premier League. Prior to the draw with Southampton, Arsenal had lost 3 straight games in the league, with defeats coming at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley plus away against Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal have been struggling to score goals and they have failed to find the back of the net in 4 of their last 6 Premier League matches. They have scored just a single goal across their last 4 away games in the Premier League and have picked up just a single victory in their last 5 on the road.
Team news and Everton will be hoping James Rodriguez is fit but the Colombian remains a doubt. Fabian Delph, Lucas Digne, and Jean-Philippe Gbamin are injured but Seamus Coleman could return to the squad.
Arsenal travel without the suspended duo of Granit Xhaka and Gabriel. Thomas Partey is injured and there are doubts over the fitness of Reiss Nelson.
This has the makings of being a tight game, with under 2.5 goals scored. Everton have made a return to good form in recent weeks while Arsenal have been struggling to win games, therefore we expect to see the hosts take maximum points.