Sky Sports expert predicts result on Everton clash v Southampton
Everton will be looking to pick up back-to-back wins when they face Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday [19 February] in the Premier League.
The Toffees are bubbling in confidence at the moment after they picked a 3-0 victory against Leeds United at Goodison Park last week.
It was Frank Lampard’s first league win as an Everton manager, but Sky Sports expert Lewis Jones has predicted a 3-2 defeat against the Saints while previewing the clash.
He suggests that Lampard’s free-flowing and cavalier brand of football could suit well at Goodison Park, but it may backfire away from home.
Jones wrote on Sky Sports: “Whether in the longer-term Everton can slip away from their midtable malaise with Frank Lampard is unclear but what looks likely is that games will be fun and full of goals under his watch.
“I’m taking the view his style of full-throttle football that can leave the defence exposed will be very well suited to Goodison Park but not so away from home.
“As Chelsea boss, Lampard’s team conceded the second-most goals of any team in the Premier League away from his home during his tenure (50) at an average of 1.7 goals per 90 minutes. That was with a team that went on to win the Champions League in the same season after he was sacked.
“His Everton defence shipped three at Newcastle and a similar situation could be on the cards against a confident Southampton side whose games are full of goals.”
Momentum is key
Irrespective of the style of football (of course that is important as well), Everton need results on board. The Toffees need some wins.
The victory against Leeds have given them a sigh of relief. However, the same negative feeling will resurface if they cannot pick up a positive result against the Saints.
Of course, the fans need to be patient, and it would be unfair to expect Lampard to work miracles straightaway. But, wins breed confidence, and the Toffees badly need points on board.
Jones could be spot on here. Playing away from home is a different challenge. An emphasis on over-attacking football could leave the defence exposed, which is not at all a healthy sign.
While the defeat against Newcastle can be seen as an aberration as it was Lampard’s first game in charge, the performance against the Saints would be thoroughly scrutinized.
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