Everton chase fourth straight 1-0 win away to Sunderland

Sunderland/Everton, Sun 4pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

A 0-0 draw at the Emirates back in February saw Sunderland climb into the top-half - the appointment of Ricky Sbragia appeared inspired and safety almost certain. However, they have won just one of eight since then, losing five of their last six. They are just four points clear of the bottom three and Everton will be looking to pile on the doom.

Five reasons why 1-0 Everton looks a good bet at 9.2 on Betfair:

1. Everton have won 1-0 on their last three visits to the Stadium of Light.

2. Five of their eight away wins this season have come by that scoreline.

Posted: May 1st, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Everton attempt to again deny Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea/Everton, 8pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Here are five superfacts about tonight’s FA Cup Final dress rehearsal between Everton and Chelsea:

1. Everton have drawn on both of their last two league visits to Stamford Bridge and held the Blues at Goodison Park earlier this season.

2. Despite that impressive run, The Toffees haven’t beaten Chelsea in 21 meetings and last beat them away in 1994.

3. Chelsea have won their three home league games under Guus Hiddink, and four of their overall five, each by a one-goal margin.

Posted: April 22nd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Everything you need to know about Aston Villa/Everton

Aston Villa/Everton, Sunday 2pm, Sky Sports 1, £25 Free Bet

Aston Villa will be out for revenge because their nine-match winless run began with a 3-1 loss at Goodison Park in the FA Cup but Everton will be just as hungry for three points that would see them leapfrog Martin O’Neill’s side. chickendinner have teamed up with Betfair to produce another Big Match Wizard, with stats on every player who is likely to start the match as well as some superfacts. Click here to check it out now!

Posted: April 10th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

How the West Indies cricket schedule could help Everton win the FA Cup this year

The Times find an eerie coincidence that favours the Toffees

An interesting extract in today’s Times highlights an intriguing pattern that could bode well for Everton’s FA Cup prospects:

“Moyes would have hoped to avoid Sir Alex Ferguson’s team, who are on course for an unprecedented quadruple, but he may be comforted by the knowledge that on the five previous occasions Everton have won the FA Cup - in 1906, 1933, 1966, 1984 and 1995 - the West Indies cricket team have toured England. West Indies are due to play two Test matches in May.”

Posted: March 9th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Why Everton/Middlesboro is unlikely to feature many goals

Everton/Boro, Sunday 4pm, SetantaSports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Everton are unbeaten in five against Middlesbrough and have won three of the last four so the home win looks like the most likely outcome in this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final. Boro have upset the form book in recent weeks with wins against West Ham and Liverpool while the Toffees eliminated their Merseyside rivals and Aston Villa to reach this stage. If you aren’t keen on backing a winner then allow us to present the case for there being under 2.5 goals, which is available at 3/4 on Betfair:

» Fourteen of the last fifteen encounters between these two sides have finished with two or fewer goals being scored.

» The 4-0 loss to Tottenham was Middlesbrough’s first game in eight to have featured more than two goals.

Posted: March 5th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Everton must beat Blackburn to keep top four dream alive

Blackburn/Everton, 8pm, Sky Sports 2, Free Bets, Best Odds

It was said that there was no way Everton could finish in the top four this season, especially without Yakubu and Mikel Arteta but the Toffees have taken advantage of Aston Villa and Arsenal’s recent stumbles and closed the gap. However last night’s unforeseen twist - Arsenal actually winning a game - has heaped pressure on David Moyes’ side who surely now need to win at Ewood Park to keep their hopes of Champions League qualification alive:

Worrying signs for Everton

» Everton haven’t tasted victory in any of their last four meetings with Blackburn, winning just one of the last seven.

» The Toffees have triumphed on just one of their last six visits to Ewood Park and haven’t even managed to score in the last two.

» The two sides have met twice already this season with struggling Blackburn winning on both occasions. Everton were therefore responsible for 33% of Paul Ince’s wins as Rovers manager.

Posted: March 4th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 2 Comments