After a disappointing 0-0 draw at Molineux Stadium last weekend, the Toffees will make a serious effort to get 3 points this Sunday at Goodison. Everton are just 5 points behind 6th place Liverpool and will try to pick up points from this favored home match in a bid to make European competition next season. The Toffees are undefeated in their last 5 matches and won 3 of those. At home they have only lost twice, while winning 9 and drawing 5 times. After being plagued by injuries all season, David Moyes was handed a new selection problem when Dan Gosling went down at Molineux. Everton have not conceded in the last 3 matches and Tim Howard will feel confident he can continue this run against a struggling West Ham. Everton's last match at Goodison Park was against Bolton Wanderers and the Toffees emerged victorious with a 2-0 final score.

The Hammers are feeling a very real threat of relegation as the gap between them and safety lengthens. Wigan Athletic are 4 points ahead of them and their recent form has indicated they are not ready to do much about it. The last 6 matches have been consecutive losses, the most surprising of which took place at Upton Park. West Ham lost to Bolton, Wolverhampton and Stoke City in March with 2-1, 3-1 and 1-0 scorelines respectively. Wolves and Bolton are direct relegation rivals and the Hammers are now only ahead of the drop zone by goal difference. Manager Gianfranco Zola has declared he will remain with the team through the end of the season, but had previously flown back to Italy to reflect on what he would do. West Ham's new owners published an open letter to the fans asking them to bear with the club during such a terrible run of form. The Hammers may be buoyed by the return of Guillermo Franco but remain without Boa Morte, Collison, Hines, Ilunga and Tomkins.

David Moyes will be eager to get his team jumpstarted after a difficult 0-0 draw against Wolverhampton last weekend. West Ham have conceded 12 goals in the last 5 games so the Toffees will be confident in their attacking play. A single goal by Everton will open this match up as a draw for West Ham is of dire importance to their bid for survival.


Everton FC vs West Ham United
Sunday 4 March, 2010
Kickoff: 5:00 PM (CET)
Venue: Goodison Park (Liverpool)

Tip: Everton -1 (Asian Handicap)
Best Odds: 1.70 at Bet365