Everton, in 6th, struggled to their FA Cup victory at League Two side Macclesfield on Saturday. They ran out 1-0 winners, but had keeper Tim Howard to thank for another clean sheet.

They are in good form overall, though, and the Cup game was always going to be tricky. Everton have now kept a clean sheet five games in a row (scoring six themselves) since losing a late goal to lose 2-3 to Aston Villa.

David Moyes' side have actually kept six clean sheets in seven games now (two of those coming at home) but they haven't been anywhere near their best at Goodison Park this season.

In the Premiership, their record is 2-4-4 at home, but the 3-0 win over Sunderland in their last game at home may have done enough to break the mental block.

Hull, in 8th, drew 0-0 to Newcastle and showed themselves to be more resilient defensively in that game and the game against Aston Villa before that (they lost a 88th minute goal to lose 0-1) since losing 1-5 at Man City on Boxing Day.

Hull, who have now lost three in a row in the league, have won just the one game in eleven in the Premiership.

They've managed to score in every away game so far, but the signs from the last couple of games show that Phil Brown is looking more concerned with tightening things at the back, which may limit their adventurous going forward.

That defensive concern is necessary, having seen the Tigers ship 26 goals in those last 11 league games.

Match Betting Previews 10-11 January 2009 >>> Premiership: Arsenal v Bolton - Aston Villa v WBA - Everton v Hull - Fulhan v Blackburn - Middlesbrough v Sunderland - Newcastle v West Ham - Portsmouth v Man City - Stoke v Liverpool - Man United v Chelsea - Wigan v Spurs La Liga: Deportivo v Sevilla - Valencia v Villarreal - Osasuna v Barcelona Serie A: Inter v Cagliari - Juventus v Siena - Roma v Milan Ligue 1: Lyon v Lorient - Bordeaux v PSG

Everton look in good form and can push ahead and may challenge for a top-four place if their home form improves. But, until then, it's dangerous to go with the Everton home win (available at only $1.65).

Victor Anichebe remains Everton's only recognised striker (Tim Cahill may help him out) and with Hull losing their early-season spark, there could be a lack of goals in this game.

The under 2.5 goals is a little higher than it might be, possibly due to Hull's record so far of scoring in every away game. However, they do look a little different in their approach since that thrashing at Man City and they shouldn't be banked on to continue that record.

Ladbrokes quote $2.02 on the Under 2.5 goals market.

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Bet: Under 2.5 goals Odds: $2.02 Stake: 6pts Bookies: Ladbrokes

Match Betting Previews 10-11 January 2009 >>> Premiership: Arsenal v Bolton - Aston Villa v WBA - Everton v Hull - Fulhan v Blackburn - Middlesbrough v Sunderland - Newcastle v West Ham - Portsmouth v Man City - Stoke v Liverpool - Man United v Chelsea - Wigan v Spurs La Liga: Deportivo v Sevilla - Valencia v Villarreal - Osasuna v Barcelona Serie A: Inter v Cagliari - Juventus v Siena - Roma v Milan Ligue 1: Lyon v Lorient - Bordeaux v PSG