The first Premier League fixture of 2021 sees two of England's old traditional names meet at Goodison Park. Joe Townsend looks at the betting.
Everton v West Ham
Everton start 2021 having had a lengthy, unexpected rest following the late postponement of Monday night's game against Manchester City.
Carlo Ancelotti will hope his top-four chasing side's momentum hasn't been disrupted as they really have found their form again, responding to three straight defeats by picking up 16 points from a possible 21.
It has been primarily based on the defensive reliability provided by a back four consisting solely of centre-backs. It has certainly paid dividends, with Everton conceding just once in four Premier League games.
West Ham found some defensive solidity of their own last time out by battling to a goalless draw at Southampton, a welcome clean sheet having conceded five goals in their two previous festive fixtures. It ended a six-game run without shutting out an opponent.
It seems that David Moyes may have finally found at least a short-term solution to the the loss of Arthur Masuaku ahead of his return to the stadium in which he had so much success during a decade as Everton manager.
A much-changed Irons team - which included Ryan Fredericks and Craig Dawson in defence, and Andriy Yarmolenko and Manuel Lanzini in attacking midfield - certainly looked more balanced against the Saints than it has in recent weeks.
This back to basics approach in defence, combined with Everton's newfound stubbornness, has me reaching for the unders on New Year's Day. Under 2.5 goals is evens across the board, and good enough for me.
I'm quite happy to factor in a home win to the scenario given the Toffees' form and extra recovery time, and it's a real surprise to see them a consistent odds-against in the outright betting.
Stick the two together and Everton/under 2.5 goals at 4/1 is a mighty price. For the more circumspect, adding a goal on gives you 9/5 but that is too much of a drop in value for me.
Finally, I'm happy to hold an each-way interest in Gylfi Sigurdsson as first goalscorer at 10/1 (Betfair, Paddy Power).
He is both Everton's penalty and direct free-kick taker, as well as being a goal-threat from attacking in midfield. Such is life, I tipped him at 14/1 against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup - he had four shots and twice went painfully close to breaking the deadlock - and he only went and scored the winner in the Toffees' 1-0 victory at Sheffield United in the very next game.
The Icelander has had 11 shots in his last five appearances, scoring with two of them.
Taking him each-way offers near enough the same price as you'll get backing him anytime, with best odds of 7/2.
Score prediction: Everton 1-0 West Ham (Sky Bet odds: 7/1)
Odds correct at 2230 GMT (29/12/20)
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