AFTER a dour 0-0 in France a fortnight ago, Everton will look to make home advantage count as they host Lille in the Europa League on Thursday night. Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) is on the hunt for the best betting opportunities.
Everton v Lille | Thursday 20.05 | ITV 4
Everton did everything but score on Saturday as their sticky start to the new season continued. It’s now just four wins from 14 outings for the Toffees but they’re well capable of brushing a side an out-of-form Lille side on Thursday.
Roberto Martinez’s frustration was clear to see as his strikers failed to find the back of the net in a 0-0 draw with Swansea at Goodison on Saturday but that was the first time in 18 home fixtures that Everton have failed to score. What’s even more impressive is, Martinez’s men have netted two or more goals in 16 of those 18 games at Goodison.
Lille started their season way back in July as they overcame Grasshoppers in a Champions League tie. Porto then dispatched the Great Danes in the next qualifying round and René Girard’s team have been in a slump ever since.
The French side have W2-D6-L5 of their last 13 matches, failed to score in 6/13 and only scored two or more goals in just 3/19 matches in all competitions this season. And on their travels they’ve suffered four defeats in six winless games, remaining scoreless in all four losses.
I watched their last away game at Rennes and the 2-0 scoreline flattered Lille. Vincent Enyeama in the visiting goal spared Girard’s blushes by denying Rennes on countless occasions. It was a similar story when they were out-classed 3-0 at Lyon in their previous road trip.
I’m happy to put my faith in Everton here. Skybet and William Hill make the home side a 5/6 shot here and that’s good enough for me. And I wouldn’t put anyone off backing Everton to score 2+ at 11/10 with Betfair – Lille’s famed defence has shown signs of crumbling, conceding 2+ in 3/5 matches and in 3/6 on the road.
TOPICS European FootballBest Bets
Everton v Lille – Everton to win (5/6 Skybet)
