There are only two teams in the EPL who have yet to allow a goal on the road this season. Both happen to be in action on the final day of Match Day 7 on Monday, as Everton takes on West Brom at The Hawthorns.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Everton has been one of the pleasant surprises of the season this year. The team has played so well on the road defensively that the oddsmakers have enough confidence to make it a favorite. The Toffees aren't huge choices at +142 on the moneyline and PK -140 on the Asian Handicap, but just the fact that they are favored is a bit stunning.
Coming to The Hawthorns has been no easy task for most teams since Tony Pulis has taken over at West Brom, though it should be noted that the Baggies are only 0-1-2 thus far in three home games in the 2015-16 term.
It also isn't often that we see a total of 2 in the Premier League, but in this case, we have an exception to the rule. The vig is -140 on the over, and 75 percent of the betting action has been on the over at that low price, but the number of 2 showing on the board is still rare.
KEY INJURIES
Everton is going to get healthier at some point this year, but for the time being, there are real problems. Leighton Baines is still a long-term absentee, while Tom Cleverley is still out as well. Both men have ankle problems. To make matters worse, Kevin Mirallas is serving a suspension for violent conduct which earned him a red card against Swansea.
West Brom actually only has one injury woe, though it is a big one. The Baggies are without Ben Foster, their first-team goalie with a knee injury, and we know that he is going to be out until the holidays.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"The best way to measure the quality of the squad is consistency in performances; Southampton away and Chelsea at home has given a reflection of what we can achieve." – Everton manager Roberto Martinez on the success the Toffees have had at the beginning of the EPL season
RECENT FORM
Everton sits at 2-3-1 this year in six matches, a mark that it has to be happy with considering how hard this schedule has been. These last three results of a scoreless draw at Swansea, a 3-1 win over Chelsea and a scoreless draw at Tottenham have all been rock solid.
West Brom was knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Norwich in a lousy 3-0 defeat at Carrow Road, but that isn't going to put a damper on the start to the season for a team favored for relegation in 2016. The Baggies are coming off of away wins at Stoke City and Aston Villa sandwiched by a scoreless draw against Southampton at home.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The fact of the matter is that West Brom is going to start bagging goals eventually. Saido Berahino and Salomon Rondon are both capable scorers, though this is likely going to be the first Premier League match since the end of the transfer window drama with Berahino in which these two are going to be playing at the same time in a dangerous front line tandem.
Everton has played well for sure, but at some point, this team needs to find some offense. We don't see these clean sheets continuing, especially on the road, and if goals aren't going to be scored, losses are eventually going to be mounting up.
This is going to be the opening win of the year at home for the Baggies as we see it, though we suspect the game is going to end up being a close-run affair.
West Brom 1, Everton 0
BookMaker has Premier League lines for every match of the season. Everton is lined as a +142 moneyline favorite, while the total is set at 2. You can make a futures bet and predict the champion, wager on head-to-head matchups or use BookMaker’s live betting feature to gamble while the match is happening.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The fixture between Everton and West Brom is scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. ET at The Hawthorns. The match will be televised live on NBC Sports Network.
