Everton value at Stoke

EVERTON head to the Britannia Stadium on New Year’s Day, and the Toffees away form stands them in good stead to walk away with at least a point.

David Moyes’ side could move above their hosts on Saturday with a win, and there is good value in backing the visitors in the draw-no-bet market at 20/19. Everton have shown a real ability to draw games this season, four of their last six games have finished level, but Everton also have shown that they are a very difficult side to beat. In their last eight Premier League away games, Everton are unbeaten. They drew 1-1 at West Ham last time out in a fairly drab affair (where they still had the better chances), but picked up a 2-1 win at Manchester City, drew 1-1 at Chelsea, 2-2 at Sunderland who themselves  had a vaunted home record, 2-2 at Blackpool, 1-1 at Spurs, won 2-0 at Birmingham and drew 0-0 at Fulham.

Stoke, meanwhile, are going through a rough patch. After winning at Blackburn 2-0, with the hosts playing their first game without Sam Allardyce, Stoke were beaten 2-0 at home by Fulham. That marked a second consecutive home loss, after a 1-0 defeat against Blackpool. Indeed, while Stoke have a reputation for being very difficult to beat at home, they have lost four games on their own turf this season – Manchester United and Tottenham also taking three points away with them. Indeed, Tony Pulis’ team have only beaten Aston Villa (2-1), Blackburn (1-0), Birmingham (3-2) and Liverpool (2-0) at home in the current campaign.

Matthew Etherington could also be a big miss for the hosts if he is unable to make a second start in close succession, while Robert Huth misses the game through suspension – something that can only help Everton’s attacking line. Tim Cahill makes his last appearance before departing for the Asia Cup, and his presence could be key in this contest.

With the draw out of the equation, anything above Evens is a standout bet on Everton, and they should not be turned down at 20/19 with Corals – it is hard to see Everton leaving with nothing, even if Stoke do avoid a third straight home defeat.

SUGGESTION:

Everton DNB (20/19 @ Corals)