Everton to lose battle of the underperformers
Aston Villa face Everton in the Premier League's lunchtime kick-off on Saturday. Both teams lost their opening games in the 2022/2023 campaign last week, with the hosts looking off the pace in their 2-0 reverse against newly promoted AFC Bournemouth, whilst the Toffees gamely tested Chelsea to no avail in a narrow defeat. Read our preview here:
Policing Leon
Steven Gerrard will be without Kortney Hause and possibly Tyrone Mings from the back four at the weekend, which could mean the unfamiliar pairing of Diego Carlos (an expensive signing from Sevilla) and Ezri Konsa have a second audition together. Elsewhere, Danny Ings drew a blank against the Cherries, so he may be rotated out of the front three, with Ollie Watkins coming in. On the right, Leon Bailey will be hoping for an injury-free and more individually successful season in Birmingham; the Jamaican wide forward looked lively with little to show for it last time out.
Gray's anatomy
Though Frank Lampard has welcomed two new faces (Amadou Onana and loanee Connor Coady) to Goodison Park this week, he still has serious problems in attack. Salómon Rondón missed the opener through suspension but must now sit on the sidelines because of injury alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The incomings this season have mainly been concentrated in defensive areas thus far, so expect in the duo's absence to see either Anthony Gordon or Demarai Gray in the nominal role through the middle.
Betting tip
bet365 have odds of 11.00 for a 2-1 win to Aston Villa.
