Chris Sutton predicts outcome of Everton crunch clash v Leeds United in Premier League
Chris Sutton believes Everton will share the spoils with relegation rivals Leeds United in their upcoming Premier League clash at Goodison Park on Saturday, 18 February.
Sean Dyche tasted defeat for the first time as Toffees manager when his side fell to a 2-0 defeat to bitter rivals Liverpool and has since confirmed talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin is still missing from training through injury. [Liverpool Echo, 16 February]
Everton only sit behind the Whites in the Premier League relegation zone due to an inferior goal difference, and Sutton admitted the two sides were as closely matched as these positions suggested, predicting a 1-1 draw for the BBC Sport website.
He said: “This is a very hard one to call. Leeds still don’t have a new manager, but they do have some talented attacking players.
“One day, things will really click for them and they will take their opportunities – but they have already been waiting a while for that to happen, because they have not won a league game since Bonfire Night.
“Everton were unlucky with the way they conceded their first goal against Liverpool on Monday, just seconds after hitting the post, but they didn’t have enough up front without Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
“Calvert-Lewin won’t be fit for this game either so I think Everton are going to need some help from their fans if they are going to get anything out of it – Goodison Park is going to have to play its part.
“Everton are probably looking at the table and thinking they can stay up by winning their home games. Well, this is their opportunity and I am not convinced they will be able to take it.
Huge
The importance of this match can’t be put into words for Dyche, and it is truly a relegation six-pointer.
After tough assignments against Arsenal and Liverpool, these are the kind of games where Dyche earns his money, and the way he sets his side up in Calvert-Lewin’s absence will be interesting to see.
The Englishman may be forced to stick with Ellis Simms in attack due to his lack of alternatives, but the rest of the team must play to his strengths and attempt to utilise his raw pace.
Considering Leeds are currently without a permanent manager following the sacking of Jesse Marsch – now seems a better time than ever for Everton to get one over on their relegation rivals with a win.
It’s likely to be a close and scrappy encounter, but Dyche was renowned for getting the best out of his Burnley side in matches such as this, and Everton can nick a crucial three points at Goodison Park this weekend.