Chris Sutton has eye on Amadou Onana in prediction for Everton clash with Nottingham Forest
Chris Sutton expects Everton to record a crucial opening win of the season against Nottingham Forest and has highlighted Amadou Onana’s influence.
The £33.5million signing from Lille came on for the final stages of the defeat at Aston Villa last week, and although he played a role in their second goal soon after his introduction he quickly responded by creating the Toffees’ strike, and drove his new side close to an equaliser.
Sutton thinks he has made a big difference to Frank Lampard’s side and has predicted the hosts run out 2-0 winners when Steve Cooper brings his newly-promoted men to Goodison Park on Saturday (20 August).
For his BBC Sport predictions column he says: “I get how important Nottingham Forest’s win over West Ham was, given the number of new signings they have made, but I actually felt the Hammers should have got something from the game.
“Everton badly need a similar result to kick-start their season, but I don’t think they are playing that badly.
“The Toffees are still missing a proper centre-forward, but they looked much better against Villa when new signing Amadou Onana came on.
“I fancy them here, especially because they are at home.”
More like it
Sutton is right that the team hasn’t been playing too badly, especially in light of the limitations imposed on it by injuries.
Any team with two of their top defenders, their number one striker, and their main summer signing missing is going to find it tough going, and it’s only been the odd goal that they lost by both times.
If Onana is ready to be included from beginning the it could make a big difference, and despite his limitations Salomon Rondon surely has to be put into the starting line-up so Anthony Gordon can get back to his favoured wide spot.
Fans have been hanging on for a few weeks now with a squad starting to come together but still in need of a few significant tasks to be completed.
That is a significant step up from the situation that felt like might be the case earlier in the summer, before signings started coming through the door.
But now the season has started and points are going begging the pressure to get things sorted has ramped up in pressure.
Everton responded quickly to the need in defence by getting Conor Coady in, but they haven’t been able to move with anywhere near the same speed at striker.
If and when they do, and if they can keep hold of Gordon, there is a solid looking team coming together, and should they get three points on the board this weekend it would be a crucial step to build from.