Everton return to Goodison Park this weekend to face Manchester City in the Premier League.
David Moyes and his men will be coming into the game on the back of a stunning result against the high-flying Nottingham Forest.
The Toffees could secure themselves mathematical Premier League survival this weekend.
However, Everton will be facing a Manchester City side who destroyed Crystal Palace last weekend after finding themselves behind early on.
Everton are waiting for a date on Goodison Park’s finale, with the game on Saturday the third-last game to ever be played at the Old Lady.
The fans will be up for the occasion in what is going to be the final big opposition to arrive at Goodison.
And this is something which Paul Merson believes will play a considerable role in the game on Saturday afternoon.
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Paul Merson issues Everton vs Manchester City prediction
Jamie Carragher praised Everton for their attacking intent in the latter stages of the game on the weekend against Forest.
The Toffees have struggled to find the back of the net more than once in a game of late, but Everton have shown consistent defensive solidity.
Speaking to Sportskeeda, Merson admitted he feels the Blues will hold Pep Guardiola’s side to a point on Saturday.
“I don’t think Manchester City are back to their best, no way. If Aston Villa win this weekend and City fail to beat Everton, Pep Guardiola’s men could drop further behind in the race to finish inside the top five. Let’s not forget that City also have to face Villa after this and in the space of just a few days, they could well and truly be out of the race to play Champions League next season,” he said.
“Everton are a team in form as well. They have scored in each of their last nine games except for that one loss to Liverpool – the only game they lost during this run. This is the last big game at Goodison Park before Everton move to their new stadium so the atmosphere will be cracking from the start.
“I expect City to face the heat on Merseyside. They are now in a position where we are not used to seeing them and I’m not entirely sure they can keep up with their rivals in the race to finish in the top five.”
Last week, Merson predicted Everton to lose against Forest.
So, perhaps the Sky Sports man has learnt his lesson and is fearing another wrong Everton prediction against a shaky Man City side.
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David Moyes keeps proving Paul Merson wrong
The former Arsenal midfielder has built up a reputation for sharing some wild predictions and he has been vocal about Moyes’ return to Merseyside.
Merson said Everton should have hired Lee Carsley instead of Mohyes back in January.
Since then, what Moyes has gone on to achieve with the Blues has been nothing short of stunning.
Moyes has embarrassed other well-known pundits, though.
But Merson may now be starting to learn his lesson that Moyes is capable of pulling Everton back into the mix after some bleak showings during Sean Dyche’s tenure.
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