It has been far from the ideal start to the season for Preston North End and things won't get any easier for the Lilywhites when they host Everton in the EFL Cup second round on Wednesday.
Preston have been undone by two Wanderers at the start of their Championship campaign, losing to both Bolton and Wolves.
Only avoiding bottom place in the standings thanks to Southampton’s points deduction, Paul Heckingbottom will be focused on kick-starting his team’s league campaign.
An EFL Cup run is unlikely to rank highly on Heckingbottom’s list of priorities and Everton look like they can take advantage when they make the short trip to Deepdale.
Preston North End v Everton Tips Summary
Best Bet - Everton to win to nil @ 13/8
Alternative Bet - Beto anytime goalscorer @ 11/10
Bet Builder - Brennan Johnson anytime goalscorer & Alistair McCann to be booked @ 8/1
Preston North End v Everton Prediction
Best Bet: Everton to win to nil @ 13/8
There have been plenty of grumblings about Everton's ambitions heading into the new season but David Moyes' men quietened the noise with a solid 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in their opening game of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.
Keeping the Eagles off the scoresheet at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the well-organised Toffees look capable of keeping another clean sheet when they head to Deepdale.
Preston have scored a goal in each of their two Championship games, but they will face a much tougher test in breaking down this Toffees defence.
Former Preston boss Moyes should enjoy his return to Deepdale and given the contrast in form and quality, Everton are tipped to win to nil in Lancashire.
Alternative Bet: Beto anytime goalscorer @ 11/10
Coming off the bench in the 79th minute against Palace, expect Everton striker Beto to start from the off on Wednesday against the Lilywhites.
Beto will be the focus of the Everton attack and the 28-year-old is capable of opening his goalscoring account for the season.
The former Udinese striker produced his best goalscoring campaign for Everton last season with nine goals in the Premier League.
Backed to score, Beto's pace and power should be too much for this porous home defence, which has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 18 games across all competitions.
Preston North End v Everton Bet Builder Tip
Brennan Johnson anytime goalscorer
Alistair McCann to be booked
Pays 8/1
Looking to bag his first goal for Everton this week, summer signing Brennan Johnson can announce himself to the Toffees faithful in this game.
Only scoring one FA Cup goal in his career, Johnson seems to have a liking for the EFL Cup, in which he has scored four goals previously.
Having come off the bench against Palace, Johnson to score forms the first part of this Bet Builder, while Preston skipper Alistair McCann is tipped to be booked.
Shown a yellow card in all of his three appearances this season, two in the Championship and one in the EFL Cup first round, it would be little surprise to see McCann's name in the referee's book again on Wednesday.
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Key Match Stats
These two teams last met competitively back in October 2004, with Everton coming out on top 2-0 in an EFL Cup encounter
Preston's last win over Everton in a competitive encounter was back in February 1961
The Lilywhites have lost their opening two games in the Championship at the hands of Bolton Wanderers and Wolves
Everton earned a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in their opening game of the Premier League season
Preston have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 18 games across all competitions
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
