Everton vs Wigan: Home win looks the banker of the weekend

Everton may have failed to take a deserved three points against Aston Villa last weekend, but they will not make the same mistake when Wigan visit Goodison Park.

David Moyes’ team were dominant for almost the entire 90 minutes of their home clash with Aston Villa, but were twice pegged back as the visitors left with a slightly undeserved draw.

Their record against fellow north-west opposition is particularly good on their own patch, as they are unbeaten in their last 11 home fixtures, which includes eight victories.

Wigan’s record against the same opponents is not to be held in the same esteem, as they have taken just 12 points from their last 16 derbies home and away.

Meanwhile, they have triumphed in just two of their 12 Premier League encounters with Everton and managed just nine goals in the process.

A home win certainly looks the likely result despite Everton’s tendency in recent seasons to start campaigns slowly.

Everton’s odds are 4/7 to beat Wigan, with the visitors 6/1 to claim maximum points and retain their spot in the top half of the league standings.

Alternatively, the unlikely draw can be backed at 13/5.

With Everton’s squad remarkably thin in terms of recognised centre forwards, it could be worth taking a punt on Leighton Baines proving the difference against his former club.

Baines has scored twice in his last four meetings with Wigan and he will be on both penalty and free-kick duties again.

The full-back could therefore be the value bet at 14/1 to open the scoring, while he is 5/1 to find the target at any point within the 90 minutes.

Elsewhere, Everton could be worth considering at 13/8 to win to nil with Wigan also lacking in firepower, while it is 6/5 that they simply keep a clean sheet.