Everton Updates

Can Everton Secure a Top Half Finish? Best Betting Sites UK for Optimistic Toffees

Everton’s slow start to the 2024/2025 season has left the Goodison Park faithful shifting nervously in their seats. However, those who’ve made the familiar trek down Goodison Road over the years will know that the league table only starts to take shape once the clocks go back. 

In other words, it might be unwise to draw too many sweeping conclusions while the leaves are still on the trees and travel operators are still offering last-minute summer trips to the Mediterranean. 

Dyche’s woeful August record

In Everton’s case, this is especially relevant as only one other manager in Premier League history has a worse win percentage than Sean Dyche during the month of August.

With Dyche’s win ratio at just 12 percent in the season’s opening month, there’s no need for fans to hit the panic button just yet as this statistic underscores that the 53-year-old’s teams are often slow to find their rhythm.

Of course, it’s also worth mentioning that Dyche hasn’t had a fully fit squad to try and improve his poor record in August, with the key absentee being centre-back Jarrad Braithwaite, who is reportedly being courted by both Real Madrid and Manchester United. The 22-year-old is set to return to action towards the end of September. 

Irrespective of the exact date, the wider point is that there is a chance that the Toffees will begin picking up points again sooner rather than later as they proved capable of doing last term after an indifferent start. 

As we know, eight of those points were deducted due to breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, leaving the club with a final tally of 40 points. The key takeaway here is that it’s worth keeping in mind that without these FFP sanctions, Everton would have finished just one point behind Crystal Palace in 10th place, which would have constituted a top-half finish.

Fans believe that it’s possible that Dyche’s side could break into the top half of the table this season despite their recent struggles.

Can the Toffees Come Unstuck?

Naturally, this would mean overcoming the odds currently set for a top-half finish as reflected in late September. Taking a closer look at the prices for this market could offer more insight into the task at hand for Everton.

Indeed, as things stand, Everton are priced at 16/1 to end the season in the top ten places in the league table. Given that these odds are on the longer side, some fans who have faith in Dyche’s side to turn their fortunes around may choose to use a free bet offer from one of the best betting sites UK to minimise risk. New customers signing up with any of these recommended betting sites like Parimatch UK and CopyBet can claim up to £50 in free bets which can be used on the Premier League’s outright markets. 

The reality is that football can be unpredictable and that the Premier League has never been more competitive, so even if a side coached by Dyche has a tendency to move up the league table over the autumn and winter, nothing is ever guaranteed.

Crucially, Dyche will know as much, which is why he will demand maximum effort from his players as they try to find that elusive momentum. 

Is It a Matter of When and Not If?

Everton fans will be hoping that August’s poor start will soon be forgotten as the Blues begin regularly picking up points on their way to another solid season with Dyche at the helm.

With Everton taking control of games and going a few goals to the good before losing their lead as they did against Bournemouth and Aston Villa, there are potential signs that the Toffees’ football is proving effective.

Rather, with the right game management in commanding potions, the early season blues could be a thing of the past for Everton and Dyche. 

Thomas Hughes
Published by
Thomas Hughes

Recent Posts

Everton Sign Republic of Ireland Goalkeeper Mark Travers

Everton have completed the signing of goalkeeper Mark Travers from Bournemouth, with the 26-year-old set…

5 days ago

Everton Sign Thierno Barry from Villarreal

Everton have completed the signing of French forward Thierno Barry from La Liga side Villarreal.…

1 week ago

McAtee, Barry, Kubo, Hutchinson and Fellows Among Everton Targets

Everton are stepping up their summer recruitment drive, with a number of high-profile and emerging…

2 weeks ago

Everton Close in on £27m Move for Thierno Barry

Everton are closing in on the signing of Villarreal striker Thierno Barry, with the 22-year-old…

2 weeks ago

Gueye Signs New Deal: “More Driven Than Ever”

Idrissa Gana Gueye says he feels “more driven than ever to keep pushing” after putting…

2 weeks ago

Branthwaite Commits Future to Everton with New Long-Term Deal

Jarrad Branthwaite has pledged his long-term future to Everton by signing a new five-year contract.…

3 weeks ago