Everton could stumble versus revived Villa, Saints to sink Stoke

Aaron Cox | November 20, 2015

Everton v Aston Villa

Can Remi Garde grab win at Goodison?

New gaffer Remi Garde got off to a solid start in his first Premier League game in charge of Aston Villa. The tactician’s team managed to tame a star-studded Manchester City outfit at Villa Park, but that was a Citizens side without Sergio Aguero and which lost Wilfried Bony early on.

Nevertheless, it represented progress for the Midlands club and illustrated that there was definitely something for the Frenchman to work with. It doesn’t get any easier for him this week, though, as Garde embarks on his first away trip, with Goodison Park the destination.

This is a game that Villa are 11/2 outsiders with Coral to win, which is understandable considering they have registered just one Premier League victory all season and sit bottom of the table.

Villa seeking to stall Toffees

However, a draw at 3/1 may be a more feasible option for punters, as four of the last nine contests between these two teams have ended all-square.

Hosts Everton, who are 4/7 for the three points, have nabbed just one victory over 90 minutes in their previous six games across all competitions, with that triumph notably against a woeful Sunderland outfit.

The away side will no doubt try and keep it tight and the Toffees have only scored more than once in one of their preceding five Premier League matches, so backing under 2.5 goals at 10/11 could prove fruitful.

Everton frontman Romelu Lukaku scored against the Villans twice in as many games last term, and has seven goals in 12 league games so far this season, making the Belgian a superb 7/2 to open the scoring.

Southampton v Stoke City

Southampton to staunchly defend St Mary’s

It’s a battle of the red and white stripes at St Mary’s as these two meet with just four points separating them in the table.

Saints are in a rich vein of form, having not lost in eight games across all competitions. Throw in the fact they have taken the spoils in three of their previous four home matches and the 8/13 price on a win for Ronald Koeman’s men looks likely.

Stoke have just one victory over 90 minutes in their last four outings in all competitions and have never won at St Mary’s, since the ground opened in 2001. So, the 5/1 on that changing looks best avoided, especially as Mark Hughes’ Potters have struggled to find the net on the road, with a mere three goals in their previous four away from the Britannia.

Sadio Mane to star again?

Meanwhile, the home team have won their last pair of Premier League games without conceding, and have scored two or more on their home patch five times in the top-flight already. A 2-0 success looks long at 11/2, so those looking for a closer showing may prefer a 2-1 Saints win at 15/2.

As for scoring shouts, it’s hard to ignore Jonathan Walters if you’re of a Stoke persuasion after his heroics for the Republic of Ireland, as he’s 11/4 to score anytime here. However, Sadio Mane has scored five in his last seven games and the Southampton flyer is a great price at 6/4 to register at any time, especially when it is considered that he scored in this fixture in 2014.

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Coral’s Top Tip: Under 2.5 goals to occur in Everton v Aston Villa at 10/11 is excellent value