Football Betting System, Predictions and Tips

Free Premier League Tip – West Ham v Everton

Everton look to continue their unbeaten start to the season this Saturday afternoon with a trip to East London to face Sam Allardyce’s robust West Ham side. The Toffee’s have kept a clean sheet in 6 of their previous 8 Premier League matches, and have crucially not conceded in their last 3 consecutive games. West Ham’s 4 games so far in this new campaign have only seen 3 goals registered, in amongst some pretty drab football; especially the 0-0 draw with Southampton on Sunday.

I would go for the under 2.5 goal result here at 1.8 Euro odds or 4/5 as Everton have recorded an under 2.5 goal result in 9 of their last 11 League games, whilst the Hammers have failed to score in 5 of their previous 7 Premier League outings. All of West Ham’s games this season have been Under 2.5 ‘s, as have Everton’s last 3 matches.

It’s not merely a statistical analysis that points towards this being a possibly goalless encounter, but the style of play and tactics of either manager. Allardyce’s methodical and inflexible approach can lead to some predictable stalemates. Like most matches, the longer the game remains 0-0, the more the fear and anxiety of losing will become apparent (in fans and players), and the more likely we are to have an Under 2.5. An early goal can obviously change the whole atmosphere and landscape of a game, but the domination of possession by Roberto Martinez’s Everton team this season has to led first half’s of games with very few clear cut chances.

The Spaniard’s play-it-from-the-back philosophy has moved Everton way up the possession table from last season to 3rd with 59% average possession per game; they were top with 64% before Saturday’s 1-0 win over Chelsea where they understandably conceded a lot of the ball to a Chelsea team who were desperately chasing the game.

Without Andy Carroll, the Hammers lose the focal point of their attack and find it difficult to score, and the big Geordie looks to be injured till Christmas time. The Toffee’s highly successful transfer deadline day dealings will mean we see an Everton début for the Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku, who will surely come in for the misfiring Jelavic up front. There is an exciting prospect of Martinez eventually selecting a front 3 of Mirallas, Lukaku and the 19 year old Barcelona B winger, Gerard Deulofeu in the not too distant future.

To change a winning team would be foolish though, and Martinez will probably stick with the industry of Naismith rather than the mercurial talent of Deulofeu, and may introduce Lukaku from the bench. I’d expect a very, tight low scoring game.

 

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