Everton v Liverpool predictions: Run of Goodison derby draws set to continue

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Everton v Liverpool in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Where to watch

Amazon Prime Video, 8.15pm Wednesday

Best bet

Draw
1pt 17-4 bet365

Team news

Everton
Richarlison returns from suspension but Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Yerry Mina, Tom Davies and Andre Gomes are sidelined.

Liverpool
Injured quintet Naby Keita, Joe Gomez, Harvey Elliott, Roberto Firmino and Curtis Jones are unavailable.

Match preview

Liverpool are miles ahead of Everton with regard to their Premier League ambitions but derbies between the teams are often tight, fiercely contested affairs and there is every chance of the points being shared at Goodison this week.

Everton have invested a lot of money in an effort to compete with the top teams but they were much more circumspect with their summer spending and have fallen further adrift in the race for European places.

They started the season brightly but have taken just two points from their last seven games and finished the weekend closer to the relegation zone - six points clear - than the top four - eight points adrift.

Pressure is mounting on Rafa Benitez, who was not a universally popular choice as Everton manager due to the six years he spent in the Liverpool dugout. But the Spanish tactician is better than most at setting up teams to frustrate technically superior opposition and he could find a method to match the Reds.

Everton will play mainly on the counter-attack and their will be boosted by the return of Richarlison from suspension.

The Brazilian sat out Sunday's 1-0 loss at Brentford where the Toffees, assisted by the return from injury of key midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, dominated for long periods but lacked a cutting edge.

The defeat did not go down well with Everton supporters and Benitez will recognise the need to give them a performance and a decent result against their great rivals.

Liverpool go into the game as hot favourites but the recent history of their short trips across Stanley Park would warn them to expect a tough game.

Jurgen Klopp steered Liverpool to a 1-0 victory on his first trip to Goodison but each of his next four visits have seen the points shared.

Last season's 2-2 draw was the toughest experience with Virgil Van Dijk's long-term injury overshadowing the two points dropped.

Klopp will be hoping to get through the next visit with three points and a clean bill of health as he tries to keep up the pressure on Chelsea and Manchester City in a fascinating title race.

His team have responded to last month's 3-2 loss at West Ham with successive 4-0 home victories over Arsenal and Southampton and there is an opportunity to turn up the heat because three of their next four games are against bottom-half teams.

However, the clash against Everton is arguably the trickiest of Liverpool's pre-Christmas schedule and they may have to settle for a single point.

Key stat

Eight of Everton's last nine home games against Liverpool have been draws

Inside info

Everton

Penalty taker Andros Townsend
Free-kick wizard Lucas Digne
Set-piece aerial threat Michael Keane
Card magnet Abdoulaye Doucoure

Liverpool

Penalty taker Mohamed Salah
Free-kick wizardTrent Alexander-Arnold
Set-piece aerial threatVirgil van Dijk
Card magnetFabinho

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