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Chris Sutton predicts result of 'awkward' Everton v Bournemouth showdown in Premier League
Chris Sutton has provided his prediction for Sunday’s crucial final-day Premier League clash [28 May] between Everton and Bournemouth at Goodison Park.
After their 1-1 draw with Wolves last weekend [21 May], Everton can rest assured knowing that their Premier League safety fate is in their hands, though Sean Dyche will be desperate for the win over already-safe Bournemouth.
Sitting just outside the drop zone, two points away from Leeds United and Leicester City, a win on Sunday will resign both teams to relegation and ensure Everton continue their long-held history as an English top-flight team.
And providing his predictions to BBC Sport [26 May] for Sunday’s crucial encounter, Sutton believes the match will be “awkward” for Everton but is backing them to record a crucial victory.
He said: “I actually feel like this is an awkward game for Everton. Their fate is in their own hands and I think they will stay up, but Bournemouth will make things difficult for them.
“Everton will play with great intensity but they have a worry over whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be fit enough to lead their attack, and they have not been free-scoring anyway.
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“In contrast, Bournemouth’s position means they can play with more freedom and that makes them dangerous.
“Goodison Park will be a very tense place in the final few minutes if this game is as close as I think it will be because I expect results elsewhere to mean that Everton have to win to stay up.
“Prediction: 1-0.”
Won’t be easy
Everton and Sean Dyche will just want to win on Sunday with no nail-biting scenes as they desperately look to confirm their Premier League status for next season.
With Bournemouth already confirming their own status, Gary O’Neil’s men will certainly have nothing to play for, but that doesn’t mean the Toffees should be complacent and comfortable as their future as a Premier League team depends on this game.
Everton can rest assured knowing that a win against Bournemouth regardless of other results elsewhere will guarantee them survival. However, the Cherries won’t be no pushovers and after their loss to Manchester United last weekend, O’Neil will be attempting to ensure his men end this campaign on a high.
Sutton is absolutely correct in that this could very much end up being very awkward for Everton, especially if the match is still tied mid-way through the second half.
Goals have been hard to come by for the Toffees, and just how they’ll look to score them without Dominic Calvert-Lewin on Sunday is a whole other problem for Dyche to solve.