Everton take on Sheffield United at Goodison Park as both teams look to bounce back from tough defeats last weekend.
A home win will lift the Toffees back within the top ten whilst Sheffield United will leapfrog their rivals with victory.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesEverton could have Richardson available despite the Brazilian suffering a tight hamstring this week.
Jean-Phillipe Gbamin (quadriceps), Jonas Lossl (calf) and Andre Gomes (ribs) are all sidelined.
Sheffield United are without Billy Sharp as he begins a two match ban after being sent off last weekend.
Loanee, Muhamed Besic is ineligible to face his parent club so is rested alongside Kean Bryan who is still recovering from a knock.
Form
Everton have seven points from their opening five matches but have shown defensive issues lately, with nine goals conceded in their last four games across all competitions.
Sheffield United’s five match scoring run in all competitions was ended last time out with a late 1-0 defeat at home by Southampton, although the Blades have drawn their two away games so far with both goals coming in the second half.
Stat Attack
- Everton have lost two of their six Premier League meetings with Sheffield United (W2, D2, L2), although both victories plus one defeat came at Goodison Park.
- Both teams scored in just two of those six meetings (4-2 at Everton in August 1993, 1-1 at Sheffield Untied in March 2007).
- No players from their last meeting in August 2011 for a League Cup tie still remain with either club.
- Only Bernard and Richardson have played more than one through ball for Everton this season.
- Sheffield United have made 375 long balls so far this season, more than what any other team has produced.
Prediction
One thing that both teams share in common is fighting spirit because Everton have grinded results out where needed, whereas Sheffield United have dug deep constantly and never given up.
That quality therefore is going to be key to this result although Sharp will be a huge loss for Chris Wilder’s Blades in terms of spearheading chances on goals, which could cost them here but I can see a draw coming instead.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Sheffield United
Result: Everton 0-2 Sheffield United