Everton opens their 2021-22 Premier League campaign under their new controversial manager Rafa Benitez at home against Southampton at a full parked Goodison Park on Saturday with kickoff at 17:00.
Rafa Benitez arrived at the Merseyside following the return of Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid and Rafa’s arrival at Everton was understandably met with grim looks from the red and some of the blue half of the Merseyside although some took their frustrations too far with threatening banners.
Everton had a disappointing and inconsistent run last season finishing at the bottom of the top half with 59 points level with the ninth-placed Leeds United who had a higher goal difference. The Toffees will be looking to change that this time around as they aim to sustain their European football challenge this season and Rafa is keen on sharpening his side for the task evidently in pre-season as he has already guided his side to a silverware in their Florida Success after the penalty shoutout win over Millonarios in the US.
However, the Toffees slumped at the end of their preseason preparations as they suffered a 4-0 defeat in the hands of Manchester United and now Benitez’s side will be looking to bounce back in their season opening match with their funs behind them.
Meanwhile Southampton did not have a good run last season either especially in the second half of the 2020-21 campaign as they slumped from a Champions League place and ended up languishing in the 15th position at the end of the campaign. The Hampshire side will be looking to sustain a top half finish and perhaps a European challenge this season although they will have to do that without their prolific attacker Danny Ings’ whose departure to Aston Villa came as a surprise to us all. Both Adam Armstrong and Armando Broja have arrived at Southampton to replace Dany Ings and will be aiming at helping the club reach its ultimate goals this season.
Southampton will head into the match with an aim of bouncing back from their 3-1 home defeat in the hands of Athletic Bilbao in their final pre-season friendly last weekend, although, that won’t be easy for the Hampshire side who had a poor away form in the 2020-21 campaign as they lost 10 of their last 11 away matches including a 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park.
Therefore, Everton will fancy their chances of taking all the points in the Saturday’s clash.
Everton vs Southampton head to head
Both sides have met in 43 encounters since 1993 with Everton winning 18 times while Southampton have won 14 times and 11 matches ended in a draw. Here take a look at their previous encounters;
- Everton 1-0 Southampton 01/03/21
- Southampton 2-0 Everton 25/10/20
- Everton 1-1 Southampton 09/07/20
- Southampton 1-2 Everton 09/11/19
- Southampton 2-1 Everton 19/01/19
Home
- Man United 4-0 Everton
- Everton 1-0 Pumas UNAM
- Everton 10-9 Millonarios (AP)
- Man City 5-0 Everton
- Everton 1-0 Wolves
Away
- Southampton 1-3 Bilbao
- Southampton 1-0 Levante
- Cardiff 0-4 Southampton
- West ham 3-0 Southampton
- Southampton 0-2 Leeds United
Everton team news
Moise Kean is back from his loan spell at PSG but is doubtful to start as he is reported to nurse a knock. Andre Gomez and Jean-Philipe Gbamin will both need to be assessed before kickoff. Everton’s Olympic gold medallist Richarlison has incredibly navigated an entire summer of football without taking a break, and reports have claimed that his name is in the hat for the opening weekend following his agreement with the club.
Southampton team news
Southampton will be without their captain James Ward-Prowse who is out due to a knee injury. Also, Southampton are set to be without Will Smallbone and Sam McQueen who are out with injuries.
Prediction and odds
- Everton win
- Double chance (Everton win/Draw)
- Both sides to score
