Everton vs Southampton Preview

• Everton to win
• Over 2.5 goals

As the sun sets on one of English football’s most iconic grounds, Everton prepare for an emotional goodbye to Goodison Park, their home for the past 132 years. Sunday’s match against relegated Southampton marks the 2,791st and final senior men’s game at this historic venue before the Toffees move into their long-awaited Bramley-Moore Dock stadium next season.

The significance of this fixture cannot be overstated. For generations of Everton fans, Goodison has been a fortress, a battleground, and a place of identity. Having secured top-flight safety weeks ago, the motivation for David Moyes’ men is now firmly rooted in pride, nostalgia, and the chance to close this chapter on a high note. After ending a four-match winless run with a spirited 3-1 victory away at Fulham last weekend, spirits around Finch Farm are higher than they’ve been in recent weeks.

Final Farewell and Recent Struggles

Though they enter the clash with momentum, Everton’s home form has been a concern. The Merseyside club have gone seven straight competitive matches at Goodison without a win (D5, L2), their last home victory coming back in early February. During that stretch, they’ve often been wasteful in front of goal and vulnerable in the latter stages of matches, which has cost them valuable points.

They’ll be especially cautious heading into this fixture given recent history. Despite Southampton being relegated weeks ago, the Saints have had Everton’s number this season, winning 1-0 in the Premier League reverse fixture and dumping the Toffees out of the EFL Cup via penalties. Those results make this final home clash a matter of redemption as much as celebration.

Southampton Seeking One Last Upset

For Southampton, the curtain is also falling—just in a more sombre fashion. Already condemned to the earliest Premier League relegation in history, their fate has long been sealed. However, there were signs of life last weekend when they held title-chasing Manchester City to a surprise 0-0 draw, a result that restored a touch of pride and ended a four-match losing streak in all competitions.

Although this season will go down as the worst top-flight campaign in the club’s history, the Saints still have small milestones to play for. Avoiding defeat at Goodison Park would mean completing a first league double over Everton since 1997/98. It would also mark a rare positive chapter in an otherwise grim narrative.

Historic Context and H2H Outlook

Southampton’s record at Goodison Park, however, leaves much to be desired. Apart from a shock 2-1 win here in January 2023, the Saints had failed to win in 17 consecutive top-flight visits to Goodison (D5, L12) prior. Furthermore, they haven’t kept a clean sheet in a league game at this ground since 2003, suggesting defensive issues are nothing new on Merseyside.

Everton, for their part, have dominated this fixture historically, winning 51 of the 107 league meetings. But the recent head-to-head narrative tells a more even story, with Southampton winning two of the last three encounters across all competitions.

Key Players to Watch

As Everton look to give their fans something to cheer about, much will depend on Beto, who leads the club in Premier League goals this season with eight.

The Portuguese striker has been in decent form during the second half of the campaign, scoring seven times in 2025 alone. With his physical presence and aerial strength, Beto will look to exploit a Southampton backline that has conceded a league-high number of goals.

For the visitors, the standout figure remains Mateus Fernandes. Despite the team’s struggles, the midfielder has consistently been Southampton’s most involved player in attack, registering the most shots of any player in their squad this term.

His dynamism in the middle of the park offers the Saints hope of at least competing toe-to-toe with Everton.

Statistical Insights

• Everton are the only team in the Premier League yet to concede a penalty goal this season, showcasing defensive discipline even amid broader inconsistencies.
• Southampton have dropped a league-high 28 points from winning positions, highlighting a recurring fragility.
• No side has drawn more home games this season than Everton (9), underlining their inability to kill games off at Goodison.

Emotional Edge and Motivation

This match isn’t about standings, titles, or survival—it’s about legacy. For Everton, it’s a moment to pay tribute to the fans, players, and memories etched into Goodison’s foundations. Expect a raucous atmosphere, emotionally charged tributes, and a team intent on giving the blue half of Merseyside one final victory at their spiritual home.

For Southampton, it’s about going out with dignity. The Saints have shown they can be stubborn, even in their darkest moments, and another tight contest could be on the cards.

Prediction: Everton 2-1 Southampton

On the back of their Fulham win and with history behind them, Everton should have enough motivation to grind out a victory. Southampton may trouble them, especially on the counter, but the occasion, combined with superior form and firepower, points to a narrow farewell win for the Toffees.

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Everton v Southampton, 2024/25 | Premier League