Tuesday 13th December 2016 Kickoff: 1945hrs
Everton v Arsenal
Football – England – Premier League
It’s difficult to imagine to teams in more polar opposite runs of form than Everton and Arsenal as the two clash at Goodison Park on Tuesday evening. The hosts have won just once in their last league games barely clinging on to a position in the top 10 having been challenging for the Champions League places earlier in the season. Arsenal, on the other hand, are three points off the lead in second spot and have not lost in the league since the opening day of the season.
Much was expected from Ronald Koeman after he took over Everton in the summer following two successful seasons in charge at Southampton. The Blues supporters had become disillusioned under Roberto Martinez and were looking forward to a fresh start under the Dutchman. Six months into that reign and it has not materialized as they would have hoped, though, and the staleness that blighted Martinez’ time in charge appears to have returned over the last eight weeks. Saturday’s loss to Watford was further evidence of the issues that face the Toffees at the moment. Despite taking the lead, Everton’s defensive problems came to the fore once again and conceded three poor goals. The centre of defence has been a problem for a long time and the signing of Ashley Williams does not appear to have solved it. Unless Koeman can rectify it in the next window then you can only envisage more of the same for Everton between now and the end of the season.
Arsenal usually hit form right about this time of year so we probably should not be surprised to see them riding high at the top of the table. That won’t stop the Gunners’ supporters getting excited about what may be this term, however, and it’s hard to blame them as they are playing some terrific, winning football at this point in time. The real test will obviously come later in the season but there are some small signs that provide hope and encouragement for Arsene Wenger, including coming from behind at home to Stoke at the weekend. Those are the kind of circumstances that have seen Arsenal falter so many times, so to come roaring back and win 3-1 will be pleasing. Tuesday represents another test of their credentials and whilst Everton may not be in the best of form, any game at Goodison Park under the lights is sure to be a lively one.
Everton v Arsenal Betting Tips
This will be the last game for Everton ahead of the first Merseyside derby of the season against Liverpool next week so they will be determined to get a performance and result to ensure they approach that game as best they can. Any win for Arsenal would propel them into top spot at least for 24 hours and that should be plenty of incentive for Wenger and his players.
So often through the years Everton have been competitive when the big teams come calling to Goodison and whilst they rescued a point against Manchester United recently, the level of performance just wasn’t quite there and that is a concern. The visitors are high on confidence at the minute and the form of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez will test the very best teams at the moment, let alone a defence low on confidence which is precisely what awaits them on Tuesday. Arsenal are simply in a much better place at this point in time and as Everton have shown little sign of turning things around, it’s an away win for me.
Arsenal 19/20 @ Betfair
