Paul Merson predicts ‘massive’ Everton clash v Bournemouth in Premier League
Everton will travel to Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday (12 November), and Paul Merson predicts yet another defeat for the Toffees.
Frank Lampard’s side are heading into this game on the back of a 4-1 defeat against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup clash, but the result in the Premier League holds more importance.
The Toffees have a poor record away from home under Lampard, and Merson predicts a 2-1 defeat for the visitors while writing his column for Sportskeeda.
“Bournemouth thrashed Everton in their midweek game, and Everton can’t afford another result like that. They suffered a bad result at home in the Premier League last week against Leicester, and they’ll need to bounce back,” wrote Merson for Sportskeeda.
“This is a massive game for both teams. Bournemouth were 3-1 up against Leeds and lost their way. They took a 2-0 lead against Tottenham and lost that game as well. They just can’t seem to catch a break at the moment.
“Bournemouth scored four goals past Everton this week – this is like asking a boxer to go fight someone who knocked him out only a few days ago. I’m going to go with a Bournemouth victory, and that would be a bad result for Frank Lampard.”
Problems
After a positive start to the season, it feels like the same familiar story unfolding before us.
The Toffees have picked up just one win in their last six Premier League games, and find themselves 16th in the league table, close to the relegation zone.
The World Cup break couldn’t have come at a better time for them. The squad needs to regroup and get their basics right in training.
Lampard could be missing the likes of Idrissa Gueye and Amadou Onana for this game, both would be looking to stay fit ahead of the World Cup.
This week, the Toffees have suffered a big blow after Dominic Calvert-Lewin dislocated his shoulder, and he could be out long spells on the sidelines.
Scoring goals is a major problem for the Toffees, and Lampard will have to rely on Neal Maupay to deliver. The summer signing from Brighton has failed to provide the spark that many had expected him to do, but he has a great opportunity to lead the line on Saturday.