Lincoln V Everton
Wednesday 28th August 2019 – 19:45 Kick-Off
EFL League Cup
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49/10 | 69/20 | 47/100 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 26th August 2019 at 15:30)
Preview: Despite there being several leagues separating them, this will be the second meeting in less than a year between these two teams. Everton were drawn at home to Lincoln in the Third Round of last season’s FA Cup, winning 2-1 at Goodison Park. Can Lincoln reverse that scoreline back at their home ground of Sincil Bank?
EFL League Cup Betting with 22Bet
Lincoln Preview – The Imps out to inflict another cup upset?
Beginning the season in League One following their promotion from the league below as champions, Lincoln fans could not have wished for a better start. Winning their opening three league fixtures on the spin was one thing, but travelling to Huddersfield Town in the League Cup – facing a team that were competing in the Premier League the season before, albeit not very well – and recording a 1-0 victory must have felt like dreamland.
Since then, however, The Imps have slumped to successive league defeats following back-to-back 2-1 scorelines away to MK Dons and, more recently, at Doncaster. While far from being a disaster, as their perfect start was always going to end sooner rather than later, it has, nonetheless, put the brakes on their early season momentum.
Although, that Lincoln remained competitive in both those defeats, going down by a single goal whilst maintaining their 100% record for scoring in every competitive match so far in 2019-20, has to be seen in a positive light. Their recent record record in this competition, though, is far from ideal. Last season seen then comfortably see off Port Vale, winning 4-0 at home first time out before being thrashed themselves in the very next round, losing 4-1 at Blackburn.
Meanwhile, two seasons ago they were knocked out at the first hurdle when losing 2-1 away to Rotherham. However, Lincoln did put up a fight against Everton in an FA Cup Third Round meeting back in January. Midfielder Michael Bostwick scored a goal at Goodison Park that he will probably never forget, even if it was ultimately in a 2-1 defeat.
Everton Preview – Silva to name a much-changed side?
The supporters could sure do with a lift right now, on the back of an underwhelming start to the new season that recently culminated in a surprising 2-0 loss away to newly-promoted Aston Villa on Friday night. It was a harsh scoreline in fairness, with Marco Silva’s men creating several good opportunities to score. On the balance of play a draw would have been a more fairer outcome, but The Toffees only have themselves to blame for any misfortune.
Everton have continued to huff and puff this season without ever truly looking like a side capable of blowing much down, and I do mean from an offensive perspective. Defensively they remain well-organised and resolute for the most part, keeping clean sheets in earlier fixtures against Crystal Palace (0-0) and Watford (W1-0) without too much fuss. The pressure, though, is firmly on the attackers, who continue to underperform.
Just one goal scored from three matches played so far is a dismal return from a club which has shelled out huge sums trying to significantly upgrade the forwards at the manager’s disposal. Last season, Marco Silva made eight changes for Everton’s first League Cup encounter, at home to Rotherham in a 3-1 victory, and will almost certainly do so again here. Those at risk of the chop are, unsurprisingly, the forwards, with Sigurdsson and Richarlison looking like spent forces currently.
Moise Kean has looked lively whenever he has been introduced from the bench and would appear primed to start here. Alex Iwobi, a summer signing from Arsenal, hit the woodwork in his second half cameo at Villa Park and is another likely to get a run out. Leighton Baines and Djibril Sidibi could also feature at full-back, which could undermine a defence that has been fairly watertight for a while now.
Lincoln V Everton Key Facts:
- After beginning the season winning their first three league fixtures in League One, Lincoln have since lost two in a row (W3 D0 L2).
- It has been a mixed start to the Premier League season by Everton (W1 D1 L1), who were beaten 2-0 at Aston Villa last time out.
- An FA Cup Third Round encounter in January 2019 finished with Everton beating Lincoln 2-1 at Goodison Park.
Betting Summary
Having made a blistering start to the season to begin with, winning their first three fixtures in League One as well as going to Huddersfield in this competition and winning 1-0, Lincoln now need to show some resilience. Back-to-back 2-1 defeats away to MK Dons and Doncaster has halted their excellent early season momentum, although The Imps have at least scored in every game so far this season.
It has been an indifferent start to the season from Everton, whose 2-0 loss at Aston Villa on Friday made it four points from their first three league games. The main cause for concern has been goals, a distinct lack of them to be precise – in 270 minutes of competitive action so far this season, The Toffees have found the back of the net on one occasion!
The introduction of some exciting players previously on the periphery of the first-time, namely Alex Iwobi and Moise Kean, should invigorate the Everton attack for this trip to League One opponents. However, any changes at the back would leave them susceptible to the possibility of conceding to a Lincoln side that has scored in all six league and cup matches in 2019-20.
