Alan Hansen’s Premier League Preview: Everton v Stoke
Everton seem to have recovered from their poor start and now resemble the side that was so consistent towards the end of the 2008/09 season. Stoke have had a tough start to the season having faced three of the big four already and losing each time. Tony Pulis’ team has yet to pick up an away win in the Premier League this season and I doubt they will take the points this weekend now David Moyes’ team have rediscovered their form.
Everton are now both scoring goals but more importantly keeping clean-sheets. Moyes’ has got his side grinding out wins again after seemingly going back to the basics that make the Toffees so difficult to beat. The signs look good for another home victory this weekend as Everton beat Stoke home and away last season while scoring 3 goals in each match. The way Moyes’ men have been playing I wouldn’t be surprised if they got a few goals again.
Stoke are not good travellers which is perfectly illustrated by the fact they’ve conceded two goals or more in 15 of their 22 away games in the Premier League. They’ve also struggled for goals on the road after scoring just once in 3 league trips this season to Anfield, St Andrews’ and the Reebok Stadium. Goal scoring isn’t a problem for Everton at the moment and one man in particular.
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Louis Saha has enjoyed a great start to the season following on from the end of the last campaign with 7 goals in his last seven league appearances. The Frenchman’s form at Goodison is sensational. In his 4 starts at home in all competitions this season, Saha has banged in 6 goals so is at the top of his game. With Brazilian Jo on loan and Yakubu now returned from injury, Moyes’ options up front suddenly look far rosier.
One of the problems for Stoke away from home is their lack of ball retention. The Potters have the lowest passing accuracy in the Premier League - just 59%. As a result Tony Pulis’ side come under a lot more pressure away from home compared to at the Britannia Stadium where they can pen teams in their own half with their set-pieces. Therefore, I’m backing Everton to continue their great run on Premier 10 this weekend.
Tags: Alan Hansen, Everton, Premier 10, Premier League, Stoke
