Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Sat 18 April 2026 18:10, UK

Everton have been handed a big opportunity in the race for European football ahead of the upcoming Merseyside derby.

The Toffees welcome rivals Liverpool to Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time, with the chance to make a big statement as a result of the Reds’ poor season.

David Moyes‘ side ended their run without successive wins at their new stomping ground before the international break, with a 3-0 rout against Chelsea following the prior 2-0 triumph against Burnley.

The Blues sit eighth in the Premier League standings, and are well in the race for European football after a tumultuous period fighting at the wrong end of the division.

Alongside the chance to make a huge statement against their rivals, the opportunity to strengthen their European chances has been handed to Everton on a plate.

Brentford drop points vs Fulham – Everton the beneficiaries

As is often the case in the latter days of the season, the order of the weekend’s fixtures could prove crucial.

With Moyes’ side taking on Liverpool on Sunday, they have a big chance to react to the respective results of their rivals in the continental race.

The Toffees would play out a 2-2 draw with the Bees last time out, with Brentford sitting seventh in the standings heading into the weekend.

Goals from Beto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall would see Everton come from behind twice, keeping the battle between the two sides incredibly tight.

Though the Toffees have now been handed the chance they have been waiting for, with Keith Andrews’ side playing out a 0-0 draw with local rivals Fulham, a day before the Merseyside derby.

Gift-wrapped opportunity handed to Everton ahead of derby day

Welcoming Liverpool to Hill Dickinson Stadium, the stakes have been raised for Everton, with the chance there to leapfrog Brentford and move up to eighth in the standings.

With the Premier League set to have five teams in the Champions League next term, seventh place in the division would come with the reward of a Europa League spot, should a side already in Europe lift the FA Cup.

As the Toffees fight for their first continental adventure since 2017, the financial gap between the Europa League and the Conference League could be a major factor as they look to continue building.

Facing a Liverpool side licking their wounds after their European exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, Everton will sniff a big chance of taking all three points.

And this could prove crucial, potentially even allowing them to look higher up the standings at either the guaranteed Europa League place in sixth or even the Champions League.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.