Sky Sports expert Lewis Jones predicts result of Everton clash v West Ham
Sky Sports expert Lewis Jones believes Everton ‘crumble defensively’ and says Michail Antonio will be ‘licking his lips’ at the prospect of coming up against them.
The Toffees have struggled hugely away from home this season, losing every game away from Goodison Park under Frank Lampard and currently sit three points above the relegation zone.
As they prepare to take on West Ham on Sunday in the Premier League at the London Stadium, Jones told Sky Sports that he expects a ‘dominant showing’ from the hosts and is predicting a 3-0 defeat for the Blues.
“Antonio has had a full week to refresh ahead of a big week for the Hammers that sees them play Lyon at the London Stadium on Thursday. He should be at full throttle here, having been left out of Jamaica’s squad over the international break.
“Antonio’s impact when well rested for West Ham is gigantic.
“It takes a well-organised and defensively disciplined side to cause David Moyes’ team problems, which is something Everton are not, and I’m expecting a dominant showing from the Hammers, with Antonio at the forefront.
“Everton crumble defensively under minimal pressure and do not possess the backbone to pick up points away from home in the Premier League. They have the worst away record in the Premier League, with just six points taken from 13 games, the only win coming at Brighton.
“They are without a win in 11 away Premier League games, taking just two points from 33 available.
“Frank Lampard has not helped matters, either in terms of defensive structure on the road, conceding 14 goals in his four away games in charge across all competitions.
“Moyes will have noted that nine of those goals came via crosses into the Everton penalty area. West Ham have scored 13 goals from crosses this season – no team have scored more via that route. Antonio will be licking his lips at ending his 10-game Premier League drought.”
Ouch
Everton’s struggles are well documented and if they can’t change their fortunes away from home then they’re in real danger.
Aside from the game against West Ham they still have to face four of the current top six, plus Leicester twice, Crystal Palace and face trips to Burnley and Watford before the end of the season.
That’s a scary run of fixtures and five of them are away from home, which on current form is almost a guaranteed defeat.
West Ham will have one eye on their Europa League quarter-final which could help Lampard’s side get something from the game but they will need to be at their best to ensure it.
Fans will be praying that Jones is wrong about this one, but it’s not hard to see why he’s gone with this result and many Everton fans will be expecting the worst too.
In other Everton news, Simon Jordan evaluates ‘difficult’ Everton situation, makes Frank Lampard admission
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