Mark Lawrenson predicts Everton vs Leeds United result amid reliance on Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Everton are going to miss Dominic Calvert-Lewin again and the points will be shared when they face Leeds United this weekend, according to Mark Lawrenson.
After one hit and one miss so far from the Sean Dyche era it is now down to the real challenge of getting results against the teams around them for the Toffees.
Leeds are one place above Everton and only outside the relegation zone by a point, but are currently without a permanent manager after the sacking of Jesse Marsch, yet despite this and the atmosphere he knows the home fans will produce Lawrenson has predicted the result to be a 1-1 draw.
The ex-Liverpool man told Paddy Power for his weekly predictions: “This is a huge game for Everton and Leeds, the atmosphere at Goodison will be absolutely electric.
“I was at the Merseyside derby on Monday night and Everton didn’t really pose a threat but they could have taken the lead when they hit the post then Liverpool went right down the other end and scored and that changed the whole game.
“They’ve got fight but they need Dominic Calvert-Lewin back and fit really badly. We know what Leeds are like, they’ll give everything so I think this might be another draw. Everton 1-1 Leeds.”
Struggle
With the manager confirming that the main striker will be missing again it is going to be a blunted Toffees attack this Saturday once more (18 February).
Ellis Simms was dropped in at the deep end for the derby, while Neal Maupay hardly received a vote of confidence from his boss, but one is going to have to produce the goods in this crucial game.
A draw is obviously better than a defeat in a six-pointer such as this one, but a home game against a club who are struggling to appoint a manager has to be seen as an opportunity for Dyche and his men.
As so often during the second half of last season under Frank Lampard the difference between the home and away performances in the first two games under the new manager was huge.
That likely means that it will take rousing performances in front of the Goodison faithful to drag this depleted squad over the line before May again.
The playing staff that secured Premier League safety in the penultimate game last season has had the defence and midfield bolstered since, but the attack has headed majorly in the opposite direction with Richarlison and Anthony Gordon both gone, and Calvert-Lewin still in and out, so it is likely to be an attritional final few months this time too.