Despite defeats to Chelsea and Aston Villa, Everton are favourites to beat Nottingham Forest this weekend.
It’s too early to say a game is ‘must-win’, but a victory would certainly help to ease the growing pressure on Frank Lampard.
Forest continue to overhaul their squad with a stream of signings, and they come into this match with plenty of confidence after beating West Ham on Sunday.
Double Chance: Forest or Draw
Forest were competitive away to Newcastle and impressive against West Ham. Steve Cooper’s team is still in a state of flux with plenty of new players coming in, but Cooper has managed to put out a cohesive team on the pitch.
While Everton have lost by a lone goal in each of their two matches, they have been a long way from a win in either fixture. Frank Lampard has a lot of work to do even after the signings of Conor Coady and Amadou Onana.
Owners of a stellar away record last season, Forest are a good bet to avoid defeat at 10/11.
Total Goals: Under 2.5
The attack is the main cause of Everton’s struggles. With Richarlison sold and Dominic Calvert-Lewin sidelined, the Toffees are desperately short on quality in the final third.
Anthony Gordon has had minimal impact leading the line, so Lampard’s best chance of a positive result is to keep tight and hope they can nick a goal on the break or from a set piece.
There has been under 2.5 total goals in both of Forest’s games so far.
To Win Either Half: Forest
For a team who just beat West Ham, this is a great value price to win either half against a considerably weaker Everton side. Cooper’s team were at a talent disadvantage to the Hammers, but that’s not so clear here.
With the Toffees’ attacking woes, Forest keeping a clean sheet in at least one half is a very reasonable expectation. There’s an obvious path to Forest winning a half, even if you don’t fancy them to take all three points.
All odds are subject to change