Two teams in reasonable form might not sound exciting, but Monday night’s match is likely to be a hard fought affair as West Brom host Everton at 8pm on Sky Sports 1.

The Baggies had an unenviable start to the season; losses against Manchester City and Chelsea (even if West Brom were unlucky to get something against Mourinho’s men) surrounded a goalless draw against the surprisingly resilient Watford, and left Tony Pulis’ side with little to feel cheery about. However West Brom have improved since then, beating Stoke and, most recently, Aston Villa, with a draw against Southampton sandwiched in the middle. Not that they are a fully fixed-side; a 3-0 loss to Norwich in the 3rd of the League Cup last week was an embarrassing defeat that will have done nothing to boost the nascent confidence West Brom had been building in league.



There is arguably one main reason the Baggies have improved of late; the return of Saido Berahino. The young Burundian striker (absent against Norwich) had vowed never to for the club again under chairman Jeremy Peace after his potential move to Tottenham broke down over the summer (if ‘broke down’ covers West Brom rejecting 4 bids from Spurs). Yet Berahino has been convinced to return to the fold by Tony Pulis, first coming on as a sub against the Saints before grabbing the only goal in the Baggies’ West Midlands derby win over Aston Villa, leaving him at a 15/2 to score first going into Monday evening, with a Super Mega PGM spread of 22-27.

In comparison Everton have had a relatively impressive start to the season from the off. A loss to Manchester City is their only real blip, with important, spirit-lifting wins against Southampton and, most notably, Chelsea joined by draws against Watford, Tottenham and Swansea. They then beat Reading 2-1 in the League Cup last Monday with a late(ish) goal from ex- Barcelona forward Gerard Deulofeu (at 17/2 to score first at the Hawthorns) sealing the win.

Yet there are still some questions over Everton going forward. They haven’t managed to score in half of their 6 league games, with Romelu Lukaku’s brace against the Saints and Steven Naismith’s unlikely hat-trick against Chelsea perhaps giving a false reflection of their consistency up front so far this season. Still, the young Belgian remains the Toffees’ most dangerous option upfront, and is favourite to score first at 5/1, whilst his Scottish teammate is at 8/1.

The flaws on show in West Brom’s defeat to Norwich suggest that, despite their burgeoning form in the league, they may struggle against an Everton side that has look very impressive, even if only in fits and starts. In other words, our Spreadex traders offering a marginally Toffee-favouring Everton/West Brom (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0.05-0.25, alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.25-2.45.