Chris Sutton predicts Everton game v Nottingham Forest in Premier League for BBC Sport
Chris Sutton has backed Everton to leave the City Ground with a single point as they take on Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday 5 March.
The BBC pundit has predicted that it will finish 1-1 in the end, as the Toffees look to regain some form after shipping six goals and scoring none in their past two outings.
Sean Dyche will be looking for more consistency as he looks to keep Everton in the Premier League, with Sutton predicting a real battle this weekend.
Writing in his latest column for BBC Sport, Sutton believes that Everton winning could drag another side into the relegation mire with a real race ongoing right now.
“This is a big one – a win here would give Nottingham Forest some breathing space over the bottom three, but Everton would drag Steve Cooper’s side right back into trouble if they take the points,” he wrote.
“On form, it’s Forest who are clear favourites – they haven’t lost at home in the league since September and are quite courageous at the City Ground, while Everton have managed only one away win all season and are often toothless too.
“But, when I think about both sides and what’s at stake, I don’t think there will be much in it. This will be a real battle – it could get pretty jittery, and there won’t be many goals.”
Toothless.
This is a word that has been thrown around frequently in recent weeks.
Dyche will start to believe that too, with another change likely needed in order to find some sort of success in the Premier League with the current options he has available.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin proved he can be the spearhead needed against Arsenal, but he hasn’t been available since then through injury, and that has caused real issues.
Neal Maupay and Ellis Simms have both been used since with no success whatsoever, with options very limited after the catastrophe of signing nobody in January.
Demarai Gray may be the next option for Dyche, who will be desperate to find something that works to avoid being left behind in the Premier League.
That is still miles away from happening thankfully, but more wins elsewhere and the pressure will skyrocket, both from the stands and the outside – nothing but a win is needed here.