Everton move into the new season tackling a 73rd consecutive season in the top flight of English football. The Toffees finished 13th last time around on 49 points, but only after a poor end to the season meant European hopes had given way. It was a historic season for Everton too, a first away from Goodison Park at their new home the Hill Dickinson stadium. The Merseyside club, like a lot of their Premier League rivals, seem caught between ability and ambition. Keep up to date with all of our shows, chat and picks on the Premier League Gambling Podcast .
Everton enter the 2026/27 Premier League season with a familiar sense of unfinished business. Back‑to‑back 13th‑placed finishes have kept them clear of danger but miles away from the club’s ambitions, and the seven‑game winless run that closed out last season sharpened the pressure on David Moyes.
This campaign feels pivotal. With a stronger midfield, a clearer attacking structure, and a fanbase desperate to see the Toffees finally punch their way back into the top half, progression is vital. 17 English teams have played in Europe since Everton last featured (including Wolves, Burnley and Sunderland), they need to stop underachieving. Keep up with the Premier League scores and table here
David Moyes
David Moyes will go into the 2026/27 season carrying both authority and scrutiny. He’s both a manager whose organisational strengths remain undeniable, but whose ceiling is increasingly questioned by supporters. His return to Everton has stabilised the club after years of turbulence. Yet, back‑to‑back 13th‑placed finishes and a seven‑game winless run to close last season have kept the pressure simmering.
Moyes still builds teams with clear defensive structure, disciplined midfield roles and a strong emphasis on work‑rate. The challenge is evolution, finding a way to turn solidity into ambition, and ensuring Everton don’t drift into another season of “safe but stagnant.” With a stronger midfield and a more balanced attack, Moyes has his best platform yet to push the club forward; now he must prove he can turn stability into upward movement
Players Out
Dwight McNeil (Crystal Palace)
Seamus Coleman (released)
Idrissa Gana Gueye (released)
Players In
Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough)
Tyrique George (Chelsea)
Merlin Rohl (Freiburg)
Christian Noorgard (Arsenal)
Brennan Johnson (Crystal Palace)
Everton’s transfer business this summer has been quietly impressive. They have addressed long‑standing gaps in midfield quality and attacking variety. The headline arrival is Hayden Hackney, the Championship Player of the Season. Hackney’s elite progression numbers and creativity give Moyes a profile the squad simply didn’t have last year. Christian Nørgaard adds Premier League experience and leadership at a smart £7m, while the permanent signing of Tyrique George injects pace and end‑product after he posted the highest shots‑on‑target rate in the squad. Merlin Röhl offers further depth out wide, giving Everton more options in transition and ball‑carrying phases.
The departures of Idrissa Gana Gueye, Seamus Coleman and Jack Grealish’s loan ending remove experience and some creativity, but overall the window feels balanced. They have younger legs, better technical quality, and a midfield rebuilt to finally give Moyes control and progression through the centre of the pitch.
Everton Premier League Odds
Premier League Winners 250/1
Top 4 Finish 22/1
Top 6 Finish 6/1
Top Half Finish +120
Bottom Half Finish -150
To be Relegated 9/1
To Finish Bottom 50/1
Strengths
Everton’s biggest strength heading into 26/27 is the spine of the team. It’s a core that’s settled, reliable and finally supported by smarter recruitment. James Garner remains one of the Premier League’s most effective midfield disruptors, leading the entire division in tackles (120) and interceptions (59) last season. Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall provides the technical quality and end‑product that Everton have lacked for years, contributing eight goals and four assists in 25/26.
The summer additions of Hayden Hackney and Christian Nørgaard strengthen the midfield further, adding progression, control and Premier League know‑how. Behind them, Pickford, Tarkowski and Branthwaite form one of the league’s most stable defensive units. Put together, Everton finally have a balanced structure: ball‑winners, creators, a striker and a deeper midfield that should allow Moyes to play with more control and consistency.
Weaknesses
Everton’s main weakness heading into 26/27 is the lack of guaranteed attacking consistency. Beto finished last season brilliantly with five goals in his final seven games, including a brace against Chelsea. However, the squad still doesn’t have a proven, season‑long Premier League goalscorer, and too much of the attacking burden falls on him and Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall, who led the team with eight goals and four assists . Creativity on the flanks remains uncertain. Tyrique George, Merlin Röhl and Tyler Dibling all have potential, but none are established starters. Add to that the failure to secure Jack Grealish permanently leaves a clear gap in chance creation.
Discipline is another concern. James Garner picked up 12 yellow cards last season, joint‑most in the league. Moyes’ side still struggle to turn long spells of control into sustained attacking threat. If the new midfield doesn’t translate into sharper final‑third output, Everton risk another season where structure is solid but cutting edge is missing
Summary and Picks
Prediction: 13th place, 48 points
Everton are average at best, and although I like the signings of Hackney and George, it doesn’t move the needle an awful lot for me. There are a few season long match best that I like. David Moyes looks to me like a manager that could feel the pressure early too. The Hill Dickinson faithful are hankering for a change of manager, and with the likes of Eddie Howe on the market, if Everton start slowly the dour Scot could find himself out of a job.
Under 49 Points +120
To Finish Below Nottingham Forest +137
David Moyes First Manager Sacked 14/1
