Monday night football preview: European contenders in action

The Premier League returns after the international break, and once the weekend action is done and dusted there’s a couple of exciting matches on the way in the Monday night football line-up.

First up we have Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton host Crystal Palace at Goodison Park, where a win for the Toffees could see them continue their quest to secure Champions League football next season, despite having a few other clubs to contend with in front of them.

Later in the evening will see Wolves host West Ham at Molineux, where the West Midlands side have only lost once to the away side in their last eight. But this is no ordinary Hammers outfit, who under the guidance of David Moyes are also hunting a Champions League qualifying spot, hot on the heels of London rivals Chelsea.

We preview both Monday night matches below.

History on Everton’s side for Palace clash

Crystal Palace are without a win in their last 12 games against Everton, while boss Roy Hodgson has failed to win an away game at Goodison Park in eight attempts, so it’s fair to say Eagles supporters won’t be holding much hope for this one.

But the Toffees have had their own struggles at Goodison Park as of late, losing seven of their last 11 Premier League home matches. Carlo Ancelotti will be looking for three points in an attempt to turn the tide and build momentum to challenge for fourth spot heading into the final stages of the season.

The Merseyside outfit are odds-on favourites for this one at 4/5, while star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, hopeful of a Golden Boot gong this season after scoring 14 so far, is a likely contender to open the scoring at 5/2.

Despite Palace’s poor record at Goodison, they will take heart from their 1-0 win last time out against West Brom, and the Eagles can spring a surprise on anyone on their day. The Eagles have stunned Liverpool and Manchester United in their own back yards in recent seasons, so there’s no reason they can’t put in a similar showing and take three points back to London. Hodgson’s side are 4/1 to claim the three points, while the draw is available at 12/5.

Hammers on the hunt for Champions League football

It’s been over ten years since West Ham won on the road to Wolves in the Premier League, but David Moyes’ side have been the surprise story in the top-flight this season so far. The Hammers currently occupy fifth place, and if they continue the way they have been then Champions League football could beckon for 2021/22.

Not many would have called that at the end of last season, but a solid spine has been supported with speed and skill from the likes of Michael Antonio and loan-signing Jesse Lingard, who was rewarded with a call up to the England international set up after a string of impressive performances for the Hammers.

West Ham are also looking to complete their first league double over Wolves since the 1922/23 season but they have won three of their four top-flight games on Mondays this season, and at 8/5 are slight favourites ahead of Wolves for this fixture.

Wolves, who sit in 13th spot, are currently at 2/1 to pick up all three points on Monday, and despite West Ham’s good run of form they will still feel they can beat anyone at their own patch when they turn up and play well. It will be a tough ask for Nuno’s men after an indifferent season so far, and a draw might be a likely result here between two teams who are evenly matched. That result can be backed at 21/10.

Check out all the latest football betting odds at William Hill