Prediction and odds for the game: Everton (1/7) v Salford City (20/1)
We are backing over 2.5 goals to be scored at odds of 4/7
When: September 16th 2020, Kick-off 20:15
Where: Goodison Park
On Wednesday night, Premier League Everton host League Two Salford City at Goodison Park in the Carabao second round, as the visitors look to pull off giant-killing on Merseyside.
Everton
Toffees head coach Carlo Ancelotti was busy alongside the club’s other hierarchy strengthening their squad before kick-off. All three big window signings Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez shone on their debuts, as Everton recorded a deserved 1-0 win on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
With such a full schedule Ancelotti may choose to rest some of his glittering stars in this clash. The main aim for the new-look Everton is qualifying for European via the Premier League.
However, the Toffees have not won silverware since their 1995 FA Cup victory at Wembley against Manchester United. The Merseysider’s have struggled to make an impact in cup competitions.
The Toffees have a decent recent record in the Carabao Cup, as they are unbeaten in 90 minutes in their previous four games in the competition. However, they exited the league cup at the quarter-finals stage last season when they suffered a penalty kick loss at home to Leicester after a 2-2 draw. Everton have also lost just once in 15 games over 90 minutes in the league cup on home soil.
Salford City
The team from Greater Manchester are in just their second campaign as a fully-fledged league club. The club famously owned by a consortium run by former Manchester United icons Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes have more than held their own since moving into the league game.
The visitors finished 11th place in the fourth tier, just eight points off the play-off spots. They kicked-off the current league campaign with a 2-2 home draw against Exeter City.
Salford made their League Cup debut in last season’s competition, suffering a 3-0 home debut against Leeds in the first round. They set up this tie with a penalty kick victory over Rotherham after a 1-1 draw at the Peninsula Stadium.
This game has another little side story in former Everton midfielders Darron Gibson and Alex Denny returning to Goodison Park to face their former club. The former made over 50 first-team appearances for the Toffees in a six-year career on Merseyside. Denny failed to appear for the first team after coming through the club’s ranks.
Conclusion
Everton have struggled in cup competition in recent seasons and seem to be a shock waiting to happen at times. However, there seems to be a good atmosphere around Goodison Park at the minute and we expect a weakened Toffees team to progress to the next round. A home win offers very little value. Instead, we are going to back over 2.5 goals scored, as it doesn’t seem terrible value. We are going to take a punt on both teams to score.
Verdict: We are backing over 2.5 goals to be scored at odds of 4/7 and/or both teams to score at odds of 11/8. (All odds are taken from Bet365)
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