Everton to get much needed win at Cardiff
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Marco Silva’s first season at Goodison Park hasn’t gone to plan. Everton have not contended for a European place like they were expected to. Now in 11th place, Everton have lost three straight matches. On Tuesday night, they will travel to Wales to play Cardiff City. Neil Warnock’s Bluebirds are 17th and just one point outside of the relegation zone.
It is a big week for Cardiff as they host Everton before playing Wolverhampton Wanderers away. If the Bluebirds want to rescue their season, then this week is the perfect opportunity for them.
Goals continue to be hard to come by for Cardiff. They have scored the league’s third fewest strikes (25) and have a goal difference of –27. Cardiff were thrashed over the weekend by a rampant Watford, 5-1. The loss came at home where Cardiff have secured just 17 points from a possible 42.
Everton have lost four of their last six road games. However, Silva’s team has plenty of incentive to win on Tuesday night. The Toffees will play league leaders Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby on Sunday. An Everton win could prevent Liverpool from winning the Premier League. Silva’s team will want to go into the derby on the back of a win at Cardiff.
The teams’ last three meetings have seen Everton win twice while drawing once. Everton have twice held Cardiff to clean sheets. The Toffees have outscored Cardiff 3-1 during that three-match span.
The good news for Warnock is player fitness. The Cardiff boss with have a full-strength squad to select from. However, on-loan striker Oumar Niasse is unavailable due to the match being played against his parent club.
Silva, on the other hand, will be without left-back Leighton Baines and defender Phil Jagielka. In addition to those absentees, Kurt Zouma will miss the fixture due to a suspension.
Cardiff continues to put in extremely disappointing displays. They typically follow strong games in which points are obtained. However, their 5-1 loss to Watford at the weekend was soul destroying. Cardiff will struggle to overcome that defeat and Everton will pick up a narrow win. An Everton win will give manager Silva a bit of breathing room as some fans call for his head.
Everton will pick up a win with both teams finding the back of the net in Cardiff. However, the Toffees will get a much needed three points as they go into the Merseyside Derby.
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