Everton is going to have a heck of a fight in front of it over the course of the rest of this season. Steven Naismith has already been transferred to Norwich City, and Tim Howard and Romelu Lukaku might not be all that far behind. Certainly, it's worth watching the transfer window in the days leading up to the match between the Toffees and Swansea.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Everton -145
Swansea +425
Draw +285
Over/Under 2.5 (under -120)
ODDS ANALYSIS
For all of the changes which Everton is going through in the transfer season, Swansea is still in poor form at the moment and is going to be a tough team to trust the rest of the way as it tries to fend off relegation. Against most other teams in this spot, the Toffees would probably be at least slight underdogs. In this case though, they're set as -145 favorites and are going to be expected to get three vital points.
The total is relatively average in this one at 2.5 and -120 vig on the under.
KEY INJURIES
Not only is Everton dealing with transfers, but it also has a slew of injuries to deal with as well. James McCarthy is likely out once again with a groin injury, while Tony Hibbert is set to be sidelined, too. Bryan Oviedo is the question mark to look for. He came off against Chelsea last weekend with an undisclosed injury. He's back at training, but that doesn't mean he's guaranteed his place in the Starting XI on Sunday.
Swansea actually has a relatively clean bill of health coming into this match for newly appointed manager Francesco Guidolin.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We have to manage games better. If we're better at doing that, we're right in the mix for the Champions League, but over the course of the season, you end up where you deserve to be." – Everton defender Leighton Baines on the quality of his side and recent poor results
RECENT FORM
Roberto Martinez isn't in line to be sacked any time in the near future, but the results have to get better than this against teams in the middle of the table. Sure, the Toffees managed a draw against both Chelsea and Manchester City last week, but we're still worried about recent results like a 4-3 loss at home to Stoke and matching 1-1 draws against Norwich and Crystal Palace.
The Swans got three vital points at the expense of Watford last weekend, and that pulled them just a tick away from the relegation zone. Still, this team has been in poor form on the road, including losing 3-2 at Oxford United in the FA Cup two weeks ago. Swansea City still has just one win away from home this term, matching that of dead last Aston Villa.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Andre Ayew is really the heart that keeps Swansea going at this point in the year. The Swans may or may not sell him by the end of January, and matches like this are probably going to determine whether he stays or goes. Too many poor results, and the team would be wise to sell him, knowing that there's going to be a huge deficit of money for falling into the Championship next season. Enough wins, and the Swans will be encouraged to go for it in the race to stay up.
Still, we don't trust Everton quite enough yet in this match. We see all of the changes and all of the recent lapses in defense and think this could end up being tough sledding when push comes to shove. A goal apiece feels about right to us.
Everton 1, Swansea 1
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The fixture between Everton and Swansea will take place at 8:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, January 24, 2016 at Goodison Park. The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network.
