Moyes returns: Everton welcome back West Ham’s new manager
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Everton host West Ham United tonight in a Premier League clash of significant proportions.
Most importantly, both clubs are currently, and undeniably, involved in a relegation battle.
And, on a sentimental level, the Toffees welcome back their old boss to Goodison Park. There will be no favours from either side, however.
The Toffees are struggling badly at present. David Unsworth has failed to get the best out of the squad since Ronald Koeman’s sacking.
That possibly suggests that it may not be a managerial issue and that the current squad needs more overhauling.
That said, successive 5-1 and 4-1 defeats to Atalanta and Southampton suggest a huge lack of confidence and direction from the top down.
From West Ham’s point of view, they too could do with all three points. After Slaven Bilic was relieved of his duties at the London Stadium, a steady hand was needed.
Owners, David Gold and David Sullivan turned to Moyes in the hope that the Scot had the experience and cool head to turn it around.
The East London outfit were meekly defeated in their opening game under the ex-Blues boss. But they gained a decent point from behind against Leicester City in the following game.
However, it’s worth noting that in Moyes’ two returns to the blue half of Merseyside, his teams have been defeated both times – 2-0 in each game.
Can Everton take advantage of that poor record and bag a badly-needed win? Moyes will likely set up in a rigid, solid formation that will make the Hammers hard to beat.
It will mean Everton playing with a bit more pace than usual and concentrating on building their attack around Gylfi Sigurdsson.
With Sam Allardyce heavily rumoured to be waiting in the wings, Unsworth will be itching to finish up his caretaker role and get out of Dodge.
There’s hardly a sense of bounding optimism around the London Stadium right now, but it beats the blue feeling at Goodison.
The 11/5 on West Ham nicking a win may prove fruitful come full-time.
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
