Everton vs Arsenal

Surprise Premier League relegation candidates Everton welcome table-topping Arsenal to Goodison Park in a high-stakes fixture.

An underwhelming 2-0 defeat at fellow relegation rivals West Ham United a fortnight ago proved the end of the road for underperforming manager Frank Lampard. Following an underwhelming three-match losing run in the Premier League, the ‘Toffees’ parted company with the former Chelsea midfielder, appointing ex-Burnley boss Sean Dyche as his successor. It will be up to Dyche to arrest Everton’s worst winless run in the top flight since 1994 (8 – D2, L6) and reignite the hosts’ hopes of securing survival, as they start this round two points adrift of safety. On the brighter side, the Merseyside strugglers have won their last two home encounters against Arsenal in the Premier League, which forms part of their four-match unbeaten H2H run at Goodison (W3, D1).

Despite falling to a narrow 1-0 loss to Manchester City in last weekend’s mouth-watering FA Cup tie, Arsenal should have enough character to bounce back as they come into proceedings unbeaten in 13 consecutive Premier League fixtures (W11, D2). On top of that, the ‘Gunners’ have won their last three away league matches by a two-goal margin and could record four straight such victories for the first time since 1953. Five points clear of second-placed Man City with a game in hand, Mikel Arteta’s men are in firm control of their fate. But they can ill-afford to lower their guard, given that their last away win over Everton in the Premier League dates back to 2017.