Everton vs Brentford Predictions: Richarlison backed to sting vulnerable Bees backline

Goodison Park will be bouncing this weekend as Everton fans welcome new manager Frank Lampard, who will look to both unite and galvanise a club wounded by the toxicity that engulfed Rafa Benitez’s stint in the dugout. Lampard has spent the week assembling his coaching staff, getting to know the players, and welcoming a couple of high-profile new arrivals. Come 3pm Saturday the focus will be pinned on kick-starting a new era with a win over Brentford in the FA Cup fourth round.

“The fans have such a big input at this club, especially at Goodison,” Lampard said in his first press conference. “What could be better than the atmosphere we’ll hopefully get on Saturday?”

In Lampard’s one full season at Chelsea he managed in the FA Cup final, a stage his new club haven’t reached since 2008/09 when they lost 2-1 to…Chelsea…with Lampard scoring the winner.

Trying to predict Lampard’s starting-11 is a little tricky, but we do know that Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Fabian Delph, and Tom Davies will miss out, while new signings Donny van de Beek, Dele Alli, and Anwar El Ghazi are ineligible.

With Lampard hogging the spotlight, it’s easy to forget that there’s another team taking to the field at Goodison. Brentford will, however, be without their own Frank who is absent due to covid - Assistant Head Coach Brian Riemer will take charge - but the Bees will be hoping to sting Lampard on his big day as they bid to reach the fifth round for only the second time since 2005.

Christian Eriksen, labelled “potentially the greatest signing ever for the club” by Frank, may have to wait for his debut although fans will hope he makes a substitute appearance. Tarique Fosu, Josh Dasilva, Julian Jeanvier and David Raya are all out.

There could well be goals on the cards at Goodison this weekend given that both clubs are allergic to clean sheets, something they’ve each failed to register since November.

It’s a ground that has witnessed some FA Cup crackers over the years. Just last season we were all treated to that memorable nine-goal thriller when Carlo Ancelotti’s side conjured up a 5-4 win over Jose Mourinho’s Spurs.

We're anticipating goals once again this time around. Lampard’s new side have failed to shut out any team in their last 10 games, while his old side weren’t exactly known for their defensive capabilities, conceding a whopping 59 in his first league season; more than any club in the top-10.

Brentford head into the game on the back of four defeats in a row during which they’ve leaked in 12 goals.

Over 2.5 goals is therefore the pick of the bets for us at 21/20 with William Hill. It’s an outcome which has occurred in seven of Everton’s last 10 games, with two of their recent fixtures containing five goals apiece. Brentford’s last six fixtures have each had at least three goals in, while their last three trips on the road have been goalfests: a 4-1 win at Port Vale, followed by a 4-1 defeat to Saints and a 3-0 loss at Liverpool.

If you’re after a specific scoreline, a 2-1 home win catches the eye at 9/1 with Bet Victor.

Considering all of the above, it’s a match in which attacking players will be licking their lips. Salomon Rondon bagged a hat-trick for Venezuela last week, Daramai Gray has been a rare bright spark for his side this season, while Brentford’s Ivan Toney has rediscovered his goalscoring touch with two goals in his last two games.

However, it’s Richarlison who we are backing to sparkle in Lampard’s first game. The Brazilian, 21/10 to score anytime (UniBet), is likely to have ample opportunities to breach a vulnerable Brentford backline which have failed to keep a clean sheet in 10 away games dating back to September.

After an indifferent autumn and injury-hit festive period, Richarlison has started to pick up form of late. He has two goals in his last four games and the statistics show that when he gets a shot on target he has an 80% chance of scoring this season: having scored four goals from five efforts on goal.

Saturday's game provides the ideal opportunity and platform for him to kick-start his season under a new manager with a fondness for attacking football.