Everton face a difficult away game on the weekend as they take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have shocked a lot of people this season as they battle away for a spot in next season’s Champions League.
David Moyes has also worked wonders on Merseyside as he has dragged the Blues away from the relegation zone.
Under the 61-year-old, Everton have faired well on the road with their only defeat coming in the Merseyside Derby the other week.
Everton have seen Vitaliy Mykolenko return to training ahead of the game on the weekend following his absence against Arsenal.
The Blues will be keen to get back to winning ways having now gone almost two months without three points in the Premier League.
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson is expecting a tight game – despite the league standings – and has even suggested the Toffees could cause their own issues for Forest.
Paul Merson shares his Nottingham Forest vs Everton prediction
Everton have also seen Dwight McNeil return to action following his lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.
Fans will be hoping to see their creative spark finally start again alongside Iliman Ndiaye who started for the first time on the weekend after his injury issues.
Speaking to Sportskeeda, Merson is actually expecting a really tight game between these two sides.
“They are a team that don’t lose back-to-back games very often. I remember them bouncing back after losses against Arsenal and Manchester City earlier this season,” said Merson as he predicted a 1-0 home win.
“But Everton have lost just once in their last 11 league games, that is an incredible run of form since David Moyes came in.
“We know Everton will make it hard for Forest this weekend. I expect all the other teams in the top four chase to win so it is important for Forest to get three points somehow. The problem here is that Everton play the exact same way as Forest. They will sit back and make it tight at the back.
“So I’m not entirely sure if Forest’s plan of hitting on the counter-attack would work in this game. Whoever has the ball more here, might even be at a disadvantage! This will be a very close game.”
John Brooks has controversially been appointed VAR for Forest vs Everton, which would not go down well with either side’s previous managers after the 2023 meeting.
April has been a tough month for Everton on paper, but it really would be a statement if they were able to take three points off Forest.
- READ MORE: Everton launch bid for Juventus’ number one target as Kevin Thelwell tries to leave one last gift
What Nuno Espirito Santo said about Everton
For teams like Everton, it will be promising to see the likes of Forest really putting in a battle for the top four this season.
The Friedkins have big aspirations for Everton and they will be looking to replicate what Forest are doing this season.
Despite the major gap in the Premier League standings, Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo is expecting a really tough game.
“What we see now is a good team that plays with intensity. They have good players and have been achieving good results,” he said.
“The organisation is all there. Of course with the talent they have they will cause us a lot of problems on Saturday.”
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
