Richard Keys tips Everton for relegation battle amid struggle at both ends
Richard Keys has tipped Everton for relegation amid their recent struggles at both ends of the pitch, telling fans to keep an eye on them.
The Toffees will be looking to avoid a seventh defeat in eight Premier League games when they host Arsenal later on Monday evening (6 December), and the beIN SPORT broadcaster has predicted doom for them in his weekly column on his blog.
Everton are currently five points and two places above the drop zone, and defeat at the hands of Mikel Arteta’s men could spell trouble.
Keys said: “I can’t pretend that I’m not worried for Burnley. This might just be the year that catches them out. Their stats aren’t much better than Newcastle’s now. The important one is – just one win. Both need another nine from 23 games. That’s a big ask.
“And keep your eyes on Everton. There isn’t a goal in them – and they concede too many. If that isn’t a recipe for relegation I don’t know what is.”
Trouble?
Not many would have tipped the Goodison Park outfit to struggle for form ahead of the season, and their bright start to life under Rafa Benitez quickly dismissed any doubts.
However, injuries to Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina have weakened them at both ends of the pitch, and things could get worse if both do not return to action very soon.
Defeat today would not be a huge surprise given Arsenal’s form, but Everton would be expected to start winning after tonight’s clash.
The Toffees face Crystal Palace next before games against Chelsea, Leicester City, Burnley, Newcastle United, Brighton and Norwich City, and four wins from those seven games would put them comfortably back in the top half of the table.
Benitez’s side have lost to the likes of Watford, Brentford and Wolves of recent, though, and whether they have what it takes to pick up points against teams in the second half of the table as them remains to be seen.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are plotting January loan-to-buy bid for centre-mid hailed by Jack Grealish last month.
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