Everton 2021-22 Premier League Preview
Will Benitez make a positive impact?
The Premier League has already had a huge shock this season, with former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez taking over at Everton. The Spaniard will have to work extremely hard to win over the Toffees faithful – guiding the Merseysiders into Europe would be a great start.
Everton will be one of several clubs who have European aspirations this season. However, they have a talented squad, which is likely to get even stronger before the new campaign gets underway. Read on for the latest and greatest Everton tips and predictions in our 2021-22 Premier League preview.
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Table of Contents
- 1 2020-21 Review: Toffees finish in top half
- 2 2021-22 Fixtures: Benitez’s boys start against the Saints
- 3 Everton Transfer News: Big outgoings at Goodison
- 4 Who Are The Toffees’ Biggest Challengers: Can they break into Europe?
- 5 Arsenal Preview: Gunners to improve on last term?
- 6 West Ham United Preview: Another top six for the Hammers?
- 7 Leicester City Preview: Rodgers’ troops to miss out on top four again?
- 8 Leeds United Preview: Can Bielsa’s boys build on last season?
- 9 Everton players to watch out for in the 2021-22 season: Can Calvert-Lewin hit double figures?
- 10 Our Everton Predictions: Benitez to take Toffees into top six
2020-21 Review: Toffees finish in top half
Under Carlo Ancelotti – who left this summer to take over at Real Madrid – Everton made a stunning start to their 2020-21 campaign. The Toffees won each of their opening seven league and cup matches, scoring 24 times and conceding just eight goals.
After league wins over Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion, they then held champions Liverpool to a 2-2 draw in a thrilling Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on matchday five. Unfortunately, their run came to abrupt end after four losses in their next six Premier League games.
Everton were inconsistent for the next few months, but they hit form again after a memorable win at Anfield on 20th February. It was their first triumph at the home of their rivals since 1999 and their first Merseyside derby success of any kind for over ten years. Everton followed that up with wins over Southampton and West Brom.
Ancelotti’s men still had eyes for Europe in the last few weeks of the season, though three wins from their remaining 12 games put paid to any UEFA Europa League hopes. On the final weekend of the season, the Merseysiders were hammered 5-0 at 2020-21 champions Manchester City.
Overall, Everton had a decent season, winning 17, losing 13 and drawing eight to rack up 59 points. They struggled to maintain their superb form at the start and had a disappointing end but finishing in the top half was another step in the right direction for the club.
2021-22 Fixtures: Benitez’s boys start against the Saints
Everton start life under Benitez with a home game against Southampton on 14th August. When the teams last met, an early Richarlison goal gave the Toffees a 1-0 win. Benitez and his team would certainly take that scoreline right now. Everton face Leeds United and Brighton away from home in the next two.
November is a tough month for the Toffees, who take on Tottenham and Man City before ending the month with a Merseyside derby with Liverpool at Goodison. They then face Arsenal, Chelsea and Leicester in December. The reverse league fixture against the Reds will take place at Anfield in April. Everton’s Premier League season ends with a trip to Arsenal on 22nd May.
Everton Key Facts
- Everton have been English champions nine times
- The Toffees have not won the league since 1987
- Everton won seven league and cup games in a row at the start of the 2020-21 season
- The Merseysiders finished tenth on 59 points last term
Everton Transfer News: Big outgoings at Goodison
At the time of writing, Everton have yet to make any new signings for the upcoming season. However, they have been linked with a number of players over the past few months. Allan Saint-Maximum, who impressed at St James’ Park last term, is currently available at 5/1 to join Goodison. Ben White, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Conor Coady, Denzel Dumfries and Kalidou Koulibaly have also been mentioned.
Several players have already headed for the Goodison Park exit door, including Theo Walcott, Joshua King, Yannick Bolasie and Muhamed Besic. Everton could also face a battle to keep hold of their best players, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison both linked with moves away from the blue side of Merseyside this summer. Benitez will no doubt be a busy man before the season kicks off.
Who Are The Toffees’ Biggest Challengers: Can they break into Europe?
In the early months of last season, Everton looked like genuine European contenders. Some people even tipped them to stay in the UEFA Champions League places all year. However, as is often the case at Goodison, inconsistency cost them dearly in the end. Tottenham took the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League place, with Everton finishing just three points behind. Can they break into Europe this time around?
Arsenal Preview: Gunners to improve on last term?
Arsenal have been going backwards in recent years, but there have been signs of life under Mikel Arteta. The London club have no European football to contend with for the first time in 26 years. Nevertheless, not being in Europe could be a blessing as the Gunners look to break back into the top six.
The London outfit are likely to mix and match their squad before the window shuts, but can Arteta build a squad capable of getting back into the top four? The Gunners could be a fascinating watch this season.
West Ham United Preview: Another top six for the Hammers?
David Moyes’ West Ham United were one of the surprise packages in the Premier League last season. The Hammers flirted with the Champions League places for a large chunk of the campaign. Despite missing out on the top four in the end, West Ham finished in sixth and sealed a spot in the Europa League.
With some new signings, United are more than capable of building on last season’s success. However, now UEFA Euro 2020 is done and dusted, keeping star man Declan Rice is a must. Rice has been sensational for the Irons since breaking on to the scene in Stratford, but the likes of Chelsea, Man United and Man City are all reportedly keeping tabs on the England international.
Leicester City Preview: Rodgers’ troops to miss out on top four again?
Since arriving from Celtic, Brendan Rodgers has done an exceptional job at the King Power Stadium. The ex-Liverpool manager has almost taken the Foxes into the Champions League twice, missing out on the final weekend in each of the last two seasons. However, they did beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final last term.
Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho struck up an excellent partnership, while the likes of James Maddison and Youri Tielemans also impressed. Tielemans has been linked with a move away, but the Foxes have already been busy in the transfer market, bringing Ryan Bertrand and Patson Daka to the King Power Stadium.
Leeds United Preview: Can Bielsa’s boys build on last season?
Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds were also one of the surprise packages in the Premier League last season. After winning the 2019-20 Championship title, United were back in the big time for the first time since 2004. They started well and never looked back.
Leeds finished just three points away from European football last season. They have a real togetherness in the team and no lack of talent. The Yorkshire side will no doubt be pushing for a top-six finish this year.
Everton players to watch out for in the 2021-22 season: Can Calvert-Lewin hit double figures?
Calvert-Lewin was outstanding for Everton last season. He was so good, in fact, Gareth Southgate named the Everton No. 9 in his Euro 2020 England squad, and the Everton man played in games against Croatia and Ukraine. Calvert-Lewin made a stunning start to his 2020-21 season, netting 12 goals in his opening seven league and cup matches. He will play a vital role in their campaign if Everton keep the 24-year-old at Goodison.
Jordan Pickford splits opinion among fans, but there is no denying that the England No. 1 is one of the best shot stoppers in the world. Pickford had a fine Euro 2020 tournament, making some crucial saves and keeping clean sheets against Croatia, Scotland, Czech Republic, Germany and Ukraine along the way.
Our Everton Predictions: Benitez to take Toffees into top six
Many Everton supporters did not want Benitez to become Ancelotti’s replacement due to his Liverpool roots. However, the Spaniard is an incredibly successful manager and is still one of the best around. If they can get past the connection with their rivals, Benitez could be a real success at Goodison. In his stunning managerial career, Rafa has won the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and several trophies abroad.
Even with the squad overhaul, Everton still have several world-class players within their ranks. The boss will add a few more faces before the window closes, and the Merseysiders could be a force to be reckoned with this term. We are backing Everton to finish in the top six and secure European football, which Paddy Power has nicely priced at 7/2.
