Everton v Liverpool

Last season Everton won this fixture 2-0 at Goodison Park before claiming a 2-2 draw at Anfield in January. That was one of Kenny Dalglish’s first games back in the hotseat and his impact on Liverpool really showed in the months that followed. His Reds are much improved from the disheveled lot that headed across Stanley Park last October, but there is still work to be done. Two consecutive away defeats, 1-0 to Stoke and a 4-0 humbling at Spurs proved that.

Everton were looking pretty feeble themselves only a few weeks ago. Inactivity in the transfer market was followed by home defeat to newly promoted QPR, and the natives were growing restless. However, since then results have improved and better performances weren’t far behind. A five match unbeaten run in all competitions was only ended at the Etihad Stadium last weekend; and that after a dogged performance kept Man City at bay for well over an hour.

Indeed, there is a case for saying that the Blues impressed more in defeat than the Reds did in victory at home to Wolves. David Moyes’ side are always a tough nut to crack on their own turf; that QPR defeat was the only reverse at Goodison since last November. They won’t be wanting for motivation either; a win would lift Everton above their greatest rivals.

That said, it remains to be seen if the hosts have enough firepower to overwhelm the top sides. Tim Cahill is a doubt, and even he, the five-time derby goalscorer, is struggling to find the net at the moment. Louis Saha isn’t holding down a starting berth, and a lot of responsibility is resting on newcomers like Royston Drenthe and Apostolos Vellios.

Dalglish has spent big and instilled a resilience into Liverpool that should prevent a third straight defeat away from Anfield. This should be a classic blood and thunder affair and the draw looks on at 23/10 with SkyBet. Both sides have only mustered one clean sheet each this season and therefore the 7/2 with Boylesports on a score draw looks most enticing.