The Premier League Summer Series continues with a clash between Everton and West Ham in Chicago, as both sides bid to bounce back from defeats in their opening fixtures.
This game sees David Moyes come up against his old club, with the Scottish boss hoping to resurrect Everton’s fortunes this coming season. The Toffees are gearing up for their big stadium move, but there is clearly still work to be done on this squad as the new campaign nears.
They’ve not looked convincing so far in pre-season, and head into this game following defeats to nil against Blackburn and Bournemouth. They were picked apart by the Cherries last time out, with Andoni Iraola’s side scoring three goals between the 55th and 69th minutes to settle their Summer Series opener in New Jersey.
West Ham were marginally more impressive in their clash with Manchester United at the same venue. However, they still went down to a 2-1 defeat, with a strike from Jarrod Bowen not enough for Graham Potter’s side who had defeated Grasshopper 3-1 in their opening pre-season game before heading across the Atlantic.
How the bookies view it: No clear favourite at Soldier Field
The bookies are struggling to call this one, with Everton only the slight favourites at 5/4 according to Boylesports. West Ham are priced at 7/5 to win the game, and that looks to offer more value given the Toffees look a bit short on squad depth right now, and have so far struggled in pre-season. The Draw is on offer at 23/10.
Recent head-to-head: Bore draws last term
There was little to split these teams last season, with both Premier League encounters ending level, including a 1-1 draw in the most recent clash at Goodison Park in March. Everton have only won one of the last five meetings.
Players to watch: Bowen the dangerman
With Everton still busy trying to rejig their attack and get new signing Thierno Barry settled into this team, Bowen stands out as the most obvious goal threat in this game.
The West Ham forward was on fire at the end of last season, scoring in each of his final four Premier League fixtures, and he’s already off and running in this Summer Series after striking against Man United. You can back the England international to score anytime at 15/8 with Betfred.
Predicted Lineups
New signing Kyle Walker-Peters could feature for West Ham who are missing Crysencio Summerville to injury.
Barry looks likely to come into the Everton starting lineup for this game up front, but they still have problems in defence with injury concerns over Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski and Michael Keane.
West Ham: Areola, Aguerd, Mavropanos, Todibo, Diouf, Soucek, Rodriguez, Paqueta, Wan-Bissaka, Bowen, Fullkrug.
Everton: Pickford, Garner, Patterson, O’Brien, Mykolenko, McNeil, Ndiaye, Iroegbunam, Alcaraz, Gueye, Barry.
Anything else catch the eye?
Moyes is short on options at both ends of the pitch currently, and he may need some of his wide players to drop into more defensive roles again as a result. They may struggle to get much service to their striker given that, and you can back Everton to score under 1.5 goals at 7/10 with Boylesports.
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