Everton v Southampton betting tips: Home comfort for Benitez

But the biggest splash was the arrival of striker Adam Armstrong from Blackburn Rovers in a deal worth £15million.

Armstrong netted 28 goals in the Championship last season and has been brought in to replace Danny Ings who secured a move to Aston Villa.

The visitors can be backed in Everton v Southampton betting tips at 3/1 for the win while Saints are 7/2 for a top-half Premier League finish.

Everton v Southampton head-to-head

Everton have won 50 of the 105 meetings between the two sides since 1900.

The last meeting at Goodison Park was in March and ended in a 1-0 win for the hosts and a repeat can be added to Everton v Southampton betting tips at 6/1.

There has only been one away win in the last 12 meetings between these two sides and Saints have not won at Goodison Park since November 1997.

There have been 23 draws in 105 meetings and it is 5/2 that the game ends in a stalemate.

Everton v Southampton team news

Richarlison could feature for Everton on Saturday, despite representing Brazil at the Copa America and Olympics.

The Brazilian was one of the stars of the Tokyo Olympics and was in prime form, spearheading the Selecao attack, and will hope to translate that form upon his return. He managed just seven goals and three assists in 34 Premier League appearances last term.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin also looks likely to shake off an injury and should be available. Calvert-Lewin top-scored for the Toffees last season, registering 21 goals in all competitions, and is 14/5 to score the first goal and 21/20 to score at any time.

Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse is back in contention after shaking off a knee injury. His return leaves just Will Smallbone (ACL) in the injury room at Staplewood as Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has a healthy squad to pick from.

Everton v Southampton key battles

Hasenhuttl knows that Saints’ defensive inconsistencies need to be addressed. Saints leaked 68 goals, the second-worst tally in the division, while they suffered the ignominy of a second 9-0 drubbing in as many seasons, this time by Manchester United.

They also have to do better on the road – Saints won just four away from St Mary’s and Everton are 14/5 to win but concede.

Everton have not convinced in pre-season and Benitez is a defence-first manager so is hardly about to throw caution to the wind.

The last three meetings saw fewer than three goals in total and it is 5/6 that this is the case as the last of our Everton v Southampton betting tips.

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication