Everton responded quickly after going 1-0 down last weekend against Manchester City, with Steven Naismith drawing the Toffees level, a result which saw Roberto Martinez’s side pick up a well-won point.
Steven Naismith is clearly becoming Everton’s go-to man when they’re in need of a goal, the Scottish striker always seeming to deliver at the right moment. He’s scored six times so far this season, meaning he is not only Everton’s joint top scorer with Romelu Lukaku in the league this term, but that he’s also scored with every 2.8 attempts he’s had on goal. Naismith is 40/17 to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.
James McCarthy has been an important part of the defensive puzzle for Roberto Martinez’s side so far this season. Having given away only 15 fouls, he’s also won an impressive 63.3% of his 49 attempted challenges according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Fellow midfield colleague Gareth Barry has also been pivotal to Everton’s success this term, his consistently intelligent use of the ball helping to both maintain possession and move his side further up the pitch. He’s completed 602 passes in the opponent’s half this season, placing him 9th overall in the Barclays Premier League in this category.
Saido Berahino got back on the scoresheet last weekend against Hull, rifling in a shot from an indirect free kick on the Baggies way to a result that saw them edge further away from the bottom three.
It’ll be no surprise to anyone following the fortunes of West Brom this season that Saido Berahino has been their most dangerous attacking player. Key to Everton’s game plan this weekend will be limiting his chances to shoot at goal given that he’s scored on average with every 4.4 attempts he’s had. Berahino is 13/5 to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.
Midfielder Craig Gardner has been one of the key elements in the centre of the park for West Brom this term, recording a squad-high distance covered of 198.3km according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
It will likely be up to the likes of Sebastian Pocognoli to contain the attacking threats of Romelu Lukaku amongst others, however his stats this season suggest he is up to the task. He’s won an excellent 83.8% of his 37 total challenges this term, the best ratio of any Baggies player according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
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