Premier League Betting: Everton v West Brom

Premier League / Richard Walker / 27 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

In-form Everton host free-falling West Brom and this match is only ever going one way and that's Everton's way, says Richard Walker. Best bet: Back Everton/Everton HT/FT @ [2.34].

A one-way ticket to printing money, that's what this match represents in my opinion - well, taking it off Betfair layers if truth be told, but you get my drift.

Start your televised football weekend in the best possible style by keeping it all things Everton at Goodison Park for the visit of a truly woeful and now virtually lifeless West Bromwich Albion.

My admiration for Tony Mowbray's approach is fading fast. Principled beyond recall, he won't compromise, he won't get his side to mix up their style and they're paying the price. Out-footballed, out-thought and, worst of all, out-fought in most of their recent matches, they'll lose again at Goodison Park I'm certain.

Everton have lost just one of their last 10 and injuries - despite often being to significant players - simply don't seem to bother them at all. This time, Mikel Arteta has joined the likes of Yakubu, Steven Pienaar, Leon Osman, James Vaughan and Nuno Valente on the sidelines yet their sheer togetherness makes them such a tough proposition to oppose.

Worse still for WBA, captain Jonathan Greening is still out; back in training granted, but with Mowbray confirming he won't be bunged straight into the firing line on Saturday. Their other absentees' names will barely register with you.

So back the [1.51] Match Odds if you've got the capital to make it pay, but my chief play would be [2.34] about the Everton/Everton HT/FT scenario. It's borne out of the whirlwind starts they employ to matches. Combined with Albion's star waning badly, it's ripe for the backing. Draw/Everton is at [4.7] for those wanting slightly more return for their money, while, for example, West Brom/Draw rates a [25.0] chance.

The Match Odds are completed by [4.4] about The Draw and the Baggies win at [9.0]. If I was a layer only, I'd be laying that particular price until it hurt!

A market I rarely consider also comes to mind here, the (time of) First Goal Odds. Here, it's [5.5] about a goal between 0-10 minutes and I see no reason not to back that and perhaps 11-20 minutes at [4.8] for an 80%/20% split-stake "backage", much like I was referring to last weekend as regards the hard-to-call Correct Score section.

I was surprised to see Over 2.5 goals at odds against. Perhaps this market has fully warmed up yet I reckon the [2.06] is being a bit generous towards a visiting defence that are one goal away from conceding a half-century this season. Their lack of confidence and sixth-placed Everton's hunger to close in on Arsenal above them - both in points and goal difference - makes the chances of three goals more likely than perhaps bare stats might suggest. It's [1.9] to back Unders if you can see a less open affair than me.

And yes, one of my recommendations is an Everton Clean Sheet. To back 'Yes' attracts odds of just above the [2.0] mark. Having watched West Brom fail to get anywhere near breaking Fulham down, I don't rate their chances of piercing a defence that's been superbly marshaled by Tim Howard and Phil Jagielka, particularly of late. The 'No' option is at [1.88] if, again, you can see the away team summoning up some attacking prowess.

Quick mentions to two of our favourite sections before I close. I like the [12.5] about 3-0 to Everton in the Correct Score area, and the [8.2] about Any Unquoted would rate as a good cover. For goalscorers, play Jo To Score at around [2.75] or the Toffees' top hitman Tim Cahill at about the same price.

Blue is the colour on Saturday, folks.