Paul Merson has now made his predictions ahead of tonight’s game as Everton welcome Newcastle United to Goodison Park.
The pundit believes that Everton can take advantage of Newcastle’s strong position in the league table, having ‘virtually’ secured Champions League football.
Indeed, Merson goes on to state that the Toffees ‘need to’ get out of the bottom three as soon as possible in order to avoid relegation, a sentiment sure to be echoed by Sean Dyche and his Everton side.
Writing in his column for Sportskeeda, Merson predicts a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park this evening, stating: “Newcastle are virtually in the Champions League now, and they might take their eyes off their campaign. They’ve got to make sure they don’t lose too many games, and that could work in Everton’s favour.
Everton are a hard team to beat and they play a certain way. They need to get out of the bottom three as soon as possible, by either points or goal difference.
They need to nick a few draws here and there, and I think they can pull it off this week.”
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Merson prediction is achievable if Everton utilise Goodison crowd
Everton fans have arranged a coach greeting to welcome the players to Goodison Park ahead of this evening’s game, with Sean Dyche changing his pre-match travel plans in order to accommodate the spectacle.
It was well documented last season the positive effect such greetings had on the Everton players, as the atmosphere generated outside of the stadium transferred to within the stands throughout the game, creating a hostile Goodison for visiting teams.
Languishing in the relegation zone, Everton once again require the intervention of the club’s passionate fanbase to drag the club to Premier League safety.
A win for Sean Dyche’s side this evening takes Everton to 16th in the league table.