Wolverhampton v Everton

Everton could have beaten Aston Villa if Jermaine Beckfords unnoticed goal had been noticed.

But it wasnt and in the end, with a team made up of the only eleven first team regulars fit enough to play and a bench full of reserve team youngsters, a draw wasnt a terrible result. Everton dont have the largest of squads at the best of times but the current injury "crisis", a term which is often used but is rarely as apt, has made it far too simple a task for the manager to choose his starting eleven. That theyre unbeaten in five league games is an achievement which shouldnt be undermined in the circumstances.

Despite being there being eleven teams between Everton and Wolves, only nine points separate the teams and only seven teams have won more home games than Mick McCarthys side this season. The relegation threatened midlanders are also on a decent run of form, winning three and drawing two of their last seven Premier League games. A run which has included victories over United and Villa and a draw with Spurs. They were poor in the 4-1 defeat to Newcastle last week but back at Molineux they should be expected to improve.

Everton are the 17/10 underdogs in this game, though the more profitable 9/4 on the draw may be the safer option considering Moyes limited options. One injury during the game and hes likely to have to through an untested youngster into the fray so hell be hoping to at least have Tim Cahill back and ready to start. The Australian scored in the 1-1 draw at Goodison and is the value bet at 6/1 to score first if he starts. Jermaine Beckford will consider himself unlucky not to have gotten on the scoresheet against Aston Villa and hes worth a look at 7/4 to score anytime.

There has been nothing between these two teams in their last three meetings and with Evertons playing style limited by the absence of some crucial creative midfielders, there promises to be little in this one either. Success is likely to come from the wide players with Baines and Coleman both at 14/1 to score first and 5/1 to score anytime key to how Everton fare going forward. At the back the defence has the personnel necessary to keep Wolves at bay and if Everton win, 1-0 at 7/1 looks a very likely result. Other wise 0-0 at 15/2 and 1-1 at 5/1 are the bets recent meetings tell us to put our money. A draw will keep things ticking over nicely but a win will pull Liverpool in closer with the Reds facing Man City on Monday. Europe is an outside at this point shot but being the highest placed team on Merseyside is something worth achieving too, right?

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