Everton can go to within just two points of Merseyside rivals Liverpool if they are to emerge victorious at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It became apparent relatively early on in the season that the Reds would prove no match for Premier League title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City, but few imagined that the Toffees would significantly bridge the gap on the reigning champions.
Arne Slot's side finished 36 points above Everton in their title-winning 2024/25 season, and, despite a £400m outlay in the summer transfer window, that gap now stands at five points as we head into the first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton last finished above Liverpool in the Premier League in the 2012/13 season, coincidentally in David Moyes's last season at the club before leaving for Manchester United, when ending the campaign one place and two points above the Reds, and there's every chance they do so again this term.
While Liverpool did win their opening five games of the top-flight term, including a 2-1 victory over Everton, they fell to defeat in six of their following seven Premier League games and have struggled for consistency since.
A 10-game unbeaten run between November and January prompted suggestions that the Reds had put their struggles behind them, but they won just four games in this period and have since lost to Bournemouth, Manchester City, Wolves and Brighton.
A strong end to the season should see Liverpool secure a UEFA Champions League spot for next season, but they'll no doubt be looking over their shoulders at Chelsea, Everton and Brentford.
For Moyes' side, they're now within touching distance of European football, currently occupying eighth place, which would be good enough for a UEFA Conference League spot.
Everton odds to finish above Liverpool in 2025/26 Premier League
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