Everton have found a pleasing way to deal with Newcastle United lately, which is to beat them twice running. A 3-1 win in the EFL Cup at the Hill Dickinson Stadium was followed by a 1-0 victory at St James’ Park, Thierno Barry supplying the decisive goal.
In addition to progress in the cup, the Toffees now sit seventh in the Premier League with 13 points from nine games. Waiting for them on Friday night are Coventry City, who come into this match after beating Sunderland 3-1 at home to climb to 16th, leaving them two points clear of the drop zone with nine points to show from nine matches.
Coventry won 2-1 on their last visit to Everton in December 2000, and the Merseysiders have beaten them at home in the top flight only once, back in April 1999. A win would lift David Moyes’ side above Liverpool.
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Everton vs. Coventry City prediction
Everton have kept four clean sheets in nine league games, and Jordan Pickford has saved 73.5 per cent of the shots on target he has faced. Coventry, meanwhile, have been blanked in five of their nine league matches and have managed just two goals in four away trips.
Coventry are a side of extremes and have not drawn once this season, winning three and losing six, and their best days (4-1 against Newcastle, 3-1 against Sunderland) have both come in front of their own supporters. On the road they have lost three of four and shipped seven goals. Only a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest is different from the pattern.
Everton are not prolific, with nine goals in nine, but they find the chances. They average 13.9 shots per 90 minutes and will face a Coventry defence that faces 16.8 per game, with Carl Rushworth saving just 52.9 per cent of what comes his way. Barry has four goals from 30 shots, 13 of them on target, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has two goals and an assist to his name.
Coventry will hope for a spark from Jack Rudoni, who has three goals and takes the penalties, or a scrappy dead-ball moment. Their away record makes that a long shot, and I expect Everton to score twice and keep a clean sheet.
Score Prediction: Everton 2, Coventry 0 (+850 at BetRivers)
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Everton vs. Coventry City best bets
Coventry have lost three of their four away league games this season and scored only two goals on the road.
Everton have kept four clean sheets in nine league matches, and Pickford’s save percentage far outstrips that of opposite number Rushworth, as detailed above.
The hosts are not free scorers, but they should have enough to edge a side that has been blanked in five of nine league games.
Seven of Everton’s nine league games have finished with two goals or fewer, and they have scored and conceded nine apiece.
Coventry are far more volatile, with five of their nine matches going over 2.5 goals. Yet their two lowest-scoring away trips were 1-0 results at Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, and they have scored only twice on the road. If Everton set the tempo, this one can stay tight.
Barry has 13 shots on target from 30 attempts in nine league games, which works out at about 1.5 per 90 minutes. He has started every match up front for Everton. Coventry have faced 34 shots on target in nine games, so the chances should come his way.
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Best SGP for Everton vs. Coventry City
Here is our favorite same game parlay for this PL match:
- Everton to win
- Under 2.5 goals
- Thierno Barry to have a shot on target
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Everton vs. Coventry City odds
Everton are the favourites to beat Coventry in the Premier League. Find odds at the time of writing below or follow it live with The Sporting News.
