Everton vs. Leeds Predictions: Score draw catches the eye in Goodison goalfest

Frank Lampard and Marcelo Bielsa renew their rivalry in new surroundings as Goodison Park plays host to Everton vs Leeds on Saturday afternoon at 3pm. Both clubs are dangling dangerously above the relegation zone, so it goes without saying that while a win would be huge for either side, a defeat would be a severe thorn in the side in the fight for survival …

As Everton manager, Lampard exploded out of the blocks with a crushing 4-1 defeat of Brentford in the FA Cup fourth round, only to then slump to a wretched 3-1 loss at Newcastle in his first Premier League game.

Leeds played out a midweek 3-3 thriller at Villa, coming back from two goals down to secure a prized point in the Midlands. As a result the 15th placed Whites are now four points above Everton in 16th, although Lampard’s men have a game in hand.

There will be an added dollop of spice on Saturday given the rivalry between former Derby boss Lampard and Bielsa, which originated back in the 2018/19 season through the infamous SpyGate and subsequent play-off thriller. From five clashes, Bielsa has triumphed three times, although it’s Lampard who has been victorious in the last two duels; the latter of which was when he managed Chelsea.

Everton head into the game priced at 13/10 to get their first league win under Lampard, Leeds are available at 21/10 to return to Yorkshire with the points, while a draw can be backed at 11/4.

This clash has all the ingredients for an absolute goalfest.

It’s a perfect melting pot of wobbly defences, talented forwards, and two attack-minded managers who have a history. Throw in the added threat of relegation and you have the potential for an enthralling end-to-end encounter at Goodison.

Both teams have found the back of the net in four of the last five meetings, and with the likes of Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Raphinha, Jack Harrison and Dan James on the pitch we fancy plenty of goal-mouth action on Saturday.

Everything points to goals so it makes sense to go down that avenue with an entertaining score draw standing out at 7/2 with Bet Victor. The same bookie has a correct score of 2-2 priced at 13/1, which is the outcome of the previous head-to-head between the sides back in August. 

Lampard’s two matches in charge of Everton have contained nine goals, while six of Everton’s last 10 games have contained 4+ goals, with the club both scoring and conceding in nine of those games.

It’s a similar theme over at Leeds who have been involved in some goal-heavy clashes of late; from the 3-3 draw at Villa to the 3-2 win at West Ham. A whopping seven of their last eight league games have seen 4+ goals, with BTTS occurring in six of those games.

Furthermore, the last two clashes between Lampard and Bielsa have produced 10 goals.

Dan James fired in four shots against Aston Villa, had three shots on target, and scored two goals in what was his stand-out display of the season.

The Welshman has accrued 12 shots in his last 270 minutes of Premier League football. He’s registered a shot on target in each of his last four appearances, including five in his last two games. 

With his confidence sky-high after his stellar performance at Villa Park, the rapid winger will surely fancy his chances against a porous Everton backline which has failed to keep a clean sheet in 12 games dating back three months.

James can be backed at 7/10 for a SOT, and 17/5 for 2+ SOT, however we like the look of Paddy Power’s 7.7/1 for a SOT and card.

The 24-year-old has developed quite the fondness for the referee’s book of late, picking up yellow cards in each of his last three appearances, two of which have been on the road.