Everton vs Liverpool: Toffees set for sweet Merseyside triumph

Last season, it was the blue half of the city that had the bragging rights, winning at home and drawing away at Anfield as Liverpool suffered one of their worst Premier League campaigns in over a decade.

However, fifth-placed Liverpool have been quick out of the blocks this season, although losses to Stoke and then a 4-0 thumping to Tottenham have shown the Reds can’t be considered title contenders just yet. Nevertheless, a top-four finish is a realistic ambition.

Everton have traditionally started slowly under David Moyes, but this season they have started brightly and will hope last weekend’s 2-0 loss to Manchester City was just a blip.

Expect plenty of passion from both sides and don’t be surprised to see Martin Atkinson brandishing cards for fun.

Liverpool and Everton have amassed 19 sendings-off between them in the Premier League, with the tallies standing at seven and 12 respectively.

Match odds

Home support could be key and, despite losing some key players in the transfer window, Everton are a well drilled outfit who look generously priced at 19/10 to triumph – especially as Liverpool have failed to score in three of their last four Premier League away games.

Liverpool are favourites to triumph at 6/1, with the draw at 9/4.

Goal markets

Tim Cahill and Dirk Kuyt are two players who thrive in Merseyside derbies.

Kuyt has scored in this game on the last three occasions and has five against the Toffees in total. The Dutchman is 7/1 to net first.

Cahill has a similar record, having scored five in his 11 appearances against the Reds and he’s 6/1 to score first.