Southampton face a trip to Goodison Park on Sunday, 18 May, as they take on Everton in their penultimate Premier League clash of the season. Rooted to the bottom of the table, Southampton have long been relegated. Their dismal away record of 1-3-14 and a staggering goal difference of -57 underline the scale of their challenge this weekend. Everton, sitting 13th, have also struggled for consistency, managing just four wins in 18 home matches.
Historically, Everton have dominated this encounter, winning 20 of their last 49 meetings. However, recent history favours Southampton, who have triumphed in four of the last five clashes, including their most recent meeting. Everton’s inability to beat the Saints in their last three matchups raises questions about their mental resilience. With an average of 2.2 goals scored in their meetings, this promises to be a fiercely contested affair, especially given the stakes for both teams.
Key players could play a decisive role in this battle. Everton will rely on Beto, their top scorer with eight goals, to exploit Southampton’s defensive vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, Paul Onuachu, despite a modest return of four goals, will aim to capitalise on Everton’s lapses at the back. Both teams have shown defensive frailties, with Everton averaging 1.35 goals at home and Southampton 1.31 away. Early goals could set the tone, while the midfield duel between Dwight McNeil and Mateus Fernandes will be crucial in dictating the tempo.
Everton - Southampton Key Facts
Everton have a dominant home record against Southampton, winning 15 of the last 25 encounters at Goodison Park, which highlights their historical advantage and suggests a strong likelihood of victory for punters backing Everton at home.
Southampton are currently winless in their last 13 matches and have not secured a victory in their last 5 away games, indicating a significant decline in form that could lead to further struggles against a historically stronger opponent.
In their last 5 meetings, Southampton have won 4 times against Everton, including their most recent encounter, suggesting that despite their poor form, they can upset the odds based on recent head-to-head results.
Everton vs Southampton Betting Predictions
Primary Bet:Over 2.5 Goals @ 4/5
This fixture between Everton and Southampton offers strong potential for a high-scoring encounter. Statistical analysis reveals a 72.26% likelihood of "over 2.5 goals", bolstered by both sides' scoring patterns—Everton average 1.35 goals per match at home, while Southampton net 1.31 goals on their travels. Although their historical meetings average 2.2 goals per match, the combination of defensive frailties and attacking intent from both teams suggests this clash could surpass that figure. With both sides struggling defensively, the probability of an open and goal-filled match makes this bet particularly appealing.
Secondary Bet:Home Win @ 21/50
For the secondary bet, Everton's dominance over Southampton at Goodison Park strengthens the case for a "home win". Everton have triumphed in 15 of their last 25 home meetings against Southampton, and the visitors' dire form—marked by a 13-match winless streak—further supports this selection. While Everton have failed to win in their last seven home fixtures, their overall home record this season (4-9-5) demonstrates they are capable of grinding out results. Given Southampton's poor away performances, Everton are well-positioned to exploit their opponents' weaknesses and secure a much-needed victory.
