FROM being talked up as surprise title challenge outsiders at the start of the season, the wheels have well and truly come off for Everton and Rafa Benitez faces a huge test against his old side when an in-form Liverpool make the short journey across Stanley Park on Wednesday.
Benitez's excellent start to the season seems like a distant memory and his side have nosedived their way into a run that will see them plunge into serious trouble unless they stop the bleeding soon.
Sunday's pitiful defeat at Brentford meant thay have now collected just a solitary point from 18 in their last six league matches. They've won one win in ten and haven't won at all since September. A visit from the in-form Anfield side is the last thing you would imagine they will welcome.
Liverpool have won eight of their last ten games in all competitions and swept aside Southampton in a 4-0 romp at the weekend.
However, it's a Merseyside Derby and odd things can happen in these matches. But there's no doubt the momentum is very much with Liverpool.
How the bookies view this
Liverpool are strong odds-on favourites and the best price out there is Novibet's 43/100. The Toffees can be backed by optimistic Evertonians at 38/5 by SBK and the draw is 17/4 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
The sides fought out a highly controversial 2-2 draw at Goodison Park last season as can be seen below. Everton won 2-0 at Anfield in the reverse fixture. The last four meetings at Everton have ended in a draw and the hosts' last win against their rivals at home was incredibly 11 years ago.
Players to watch
Richarlison returns from suspension for Everton and is due a big performance for the home side having only scored twice this season. He's 7/2 with Unibet to score here.
Diogo Jota is really starting to come into form against with Liverpool and his weekend double made it three goals in his last two games. He's on nine for the season and is 13/10 with bet365 to score here.
Anything else catch the eye?
With Everton on a horror run and not having scored for three games and Liverpool keeping three clean sheets in three games, the obvious call is a Liverpool to win to nil shout at what seems a reasonably generous 6/4 with bet365.
Even accounting for the unpredictability of a derby match, Liverpool really should win this comfortably and they could easily make this embarrassing for their hosts. Boylesports' 20/21 for Liverpool to win and over 2.5 goals should come in.
And for a game that is usually extremely spicy and with memories of Virgil van Dijk's injury at Goodison Park still in the air, Unibet's 10/11 for over 3.5 cards looks a gift.
This English Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool FC will be played on Dec 1, 2021 and kick off at 20:15. Check below for our tipsters best Everton vs Liverpool FC prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
