Salford City vs Everton Predictions

Salford City vs Everton for this pre-season friendly tie. League Two’s Salford City face Premier League’s Everton at the Peninsula Stadium on Saturday in pre-season preparations for the 2024-25 season. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips

Club Friendlies | Jul 27, 2024 at 3pm UK at The Peninsula Stadium

Salford City vs Everton Predictions

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Can Salford City Upset Premier League Everton in Their Pre-Season Clash?

Salford City are set to face Premier League side Everton at the Peninsula Stadium on Saturday, continuing their pre-season preparations. While Salford, a League Two side, have already played six friendlies, this match will be their sternest test so far. Conversely, Everton are just getting started, having drawn 3-3 with Sligo Rovers last week.

Salford City: A Club in Transition

Salford City, propelled by the backing of the Class of 92, experienced a meteoric rise through the lower leagues, achieving four promotions in five seasons. However, their progress has stalled in League Two. Despite consistently making the playoffs in their early seasons at this level, they have only managed one playoff appearance recently, culminating in a semi-final defeat in the 2022-23 season. The following campaign saw them embroiled in a relegation battle, ultimately surviving by a nine-point margin.

Manager Karl Robinson, appointed in January, has been tasked with revitalising the team. The pre-season has shown promise, with three wins and three draws from six games, but facing Everton will be a significant step up.

Everton: Looking to Improve

Everton's recent Premier League campaigns have been turbulent, narrowly avoiding relegation for three successive seasons. Last term, they finished 15th, 14 points above the drop zone, despite an eight-point deduction. Their struggles primarily stemmed from their attacking woes, scoring just 40 goals in 38 matches – only Sheffield United managed fewer.

Defensively, Everton were relatively solid, conceding 51 goals, bettered only by the top three teams. Under Sean Dyche, there is a cautious optimism that the Toffees can climb the table in the upcoming season. Their preparation began with a high-scoring draw against Sligo Rovers, where late goals from Youssef Chermiti salvaged a 3-3 result.

Team News and Expected Lineups

Salford City have shown consistency in their pre-season, and Robinson might stick with the lineup that defeated Warrington Town. Marcus Dackers, returning from a loan spell at Southend United, scored twice in that match and is expected to lead the attack again.

Expected Salford City lineup:

• Jones; Edwards, Negru, Chester, Garbutt; Lund, Humbles; Chesters, Woodburn, N'Mai; Dackers.

Everton are likely to rotate their squad as they did against Sligo Rovers, providing ample opportunities for all players to gain match fitness. With Amadou Onana now at Aston Villa, the midfield will rely on Abdoulaye Doucoure, Idrissa Gueye, and James Garner.

Expected Everton lineup:

• Virginia; Coleman, Onyango, Keane, Campbell; Gueye, Doucoure, Metcalfe; McNeil, Maupay, Calvert-Lewin.

Tactical Analysis and Key Battles

Salford City will look to maintain their solid pre-season form by playing a compact, disciplined game. They have been effective in utilising their possession, with a ball possession average of 52.2% last season. Their reliance on set-pieces and crossing, with 4.4 corners per game and 25.6% crossing accuracy, will be crucial against a defensively robust Everton side.

Everton, on the other hand, will aim to dominate possession and utilise their physicality. With players like James Tarkowski and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, they possess aerial prowess which will be a significant threat to Salford’s defence. Everton’s approach will likely focus on pressing high and exploiting Salford's defensive vulnerabilities, which saw them concede 1.8 goals per game last season.

Key Duels

1. Marcus Dackers vs. James Tarkowski: Dackers, Salford’s primary goal threat, will face a tough challenge against Tarkowski, Everton’s defensive stalwart. This battle will be crucial in determining Salford's attacking success.
2. Abdoulaye Doucoure vs. Matty Lund: The midfield tussle between Doucoure and Lund will be pivotal. Doucoure’s physicality and box-to-box capabilities contrast with Lund’s composure and passing accuracy.
3. Dominic Calvert-Lewin vs. Salford Defence: Calvert-Lewin’s aerial ability and finishing will test Salford’s backline, particularly in dealing with crosses and set-pieces.

Game Dynamics and Predictions

Given the contrasting styles and levels of the two teams, Everton are expected to control the game, leveraging their superior fitness and technical abilities. Salford, however, could exploit set-pieces and quick counter-attacks, particularly through Dackers and Woodburn.

Everton’s defensive solidity will likely absorb Salford's pressure, while their attacking trio of McNeil, Maupay, and Calvert-Lewin should create enough opportunities to score. Salford's high pressing and ball recovery, averaging 55.2 recoveries per game, will be tested against Everton’s relatively low ball possession stats.

Areas for Improvement

Salford need to strengthen their defensive organisation, reducing the 1.8 goals conceded per game from last season. Their error-prone defence, with 11 errors leading to shots and 8 leading to goals, must be addressed to avoid being punished by Premier League-quality opposition.

Everton, despite their defensive strengths, need to enhance their offensive output. Scoring only 1.1 goals per game is inadequate for a team with top-half ambitions. Improving their shot accuracy and converting big chances, where they missed 1.7 per game, will be vital.

Heavy Criticism of Salford City

Salford City’s recent stagnation in League Two is a significant concern. Despite heavy investment and high expectations, their inability to secure promotion or even consistent playoff appearances is disappointing. Manager Karl Robinson must shoulder some of the blame for their underwhelming performances. His tactical approach often seems rigid, lacking the creativity and adaptability required to outsmart opposition defences. Moreover, their defensive frailties, with 82 goals conceded last season, reflect poorly on his organisational skills. If Robinson cannot instil a more disciplined and effective defensive structure, Salford’s ambitions may continue to flounder.

Pro and Cons of the Two Teams’ Strategies

Salford City

Strengths: Salford's strengths lie in their possession-based approach and effective use of set-pieces. Their ability to control the game tempo and create scoring opportunities through crosses and corners has been evident.

Weaknesses: Defensively, Salford are vulnerable, often conceding soft goals due to individual errors and lapses in concentration. Their reliance on a few key players like Marcus Dackers can also be a double-edged sword if these players are neutralised.

Everton

Strengths: Everton’s defensive organisation is commendable. With a low goals conceded rate, they have shown resilience. Their physicality and aerial dominance, particularly in set-pieces, are major assets.

Weaknesses: Their attacking inefficiency is glaring. Despite creating numerous chances, their conversion rate is poor. Additionally, their over-reliance on a few attacking players makes them predictable.

Managerial Analysis

Salford City's Karl Robinson: Robinson has been a stabilising presence, but his tactical rigidity and inability to address defensive issues are significant drawbacks. His approach needs more flexibility and defensive solidity to succeed.

Everton’s Sean Dyche: Dyche’s pragmatic approach has fortified Everton’s defence, but his conservative tactics often stifle their attacking potential. Balancing defensive resilience with offensive creativity is essential for Everton’s progress.

Predictions

Best Bet: Everton to Win and Both Teams to Score

Considering Everton's defensive strengths and Salford's attacking capabilities, a bet on Everton to win while both teams score seems prudent. Everton’s superior quality should secure them the victory, but Salford's pre-season form suggests they will find the net.

Correct Score Prediction: Salford City 2-4 Everton

Given Everton’s recent 3-3 draw with Sligo Rovers and their attacking potential against a weaker defence, a high-scoring game is likely. Salford's ability to score against stronger opposition will contribute to an entertaining match.

Goalscorer Prediction: Dominic Calvert-Lewin to Score Anytime

Calvert-Lewin’s aerial prowess and finishing ability make him a prime candidate to score. Against Salford’s defence, his physicality and movement should see him find the back of the net.

First Team to Score: Everton

Everton's quality and attacking intent should see them break the deadlock. Their ability to create and convert chances against Salford’s defence will likely result in an early goal.

Innovative Market Prediction: Total Team Shots on Target - Everton Over 6.5

With Everton’s superior attacking force and Salford’s defensive vulnerabilities, Everton are expected to register numerous shots on target. An over 6.5 shots on target bet appears logical given the dynamics.

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