Sky Sports pundit offers ‘curveball’ Everton survival prediction
Glenn Murray has tipped Everton to be relegated on the final day of the Premier League season in a “curveball” prediction.
The Toffees host Bournemouth at Goodison Park on Sunday knowing only a win is enough to definitely guarantee survival in the top flight.
Leicester City and Leeds United are also fighting to secure 17th place on the final day, and former Brighton striker Murray offered his take on how he thinks things will play out.
“I’m going to go for a bit of a curveball,” he said when interviewed by Sky Sports (28 May, 11:16am).
“I’m going to go for an outside shot and I’m going to go for Everton to draw at home and Leicester to win, so Leicester stay up on goal difference.”
Goodison faithful have to bring the noise
It is so, so easy to empathise with the Goodison Park fanbase this season.
On the pitch Everton have been an absolute mess. But somehow, off it, they have been an even bigger mess.
Muddled boardroom thinking, lack of transfer strategy, the sale of Anthony Gordon in January and no reinvestment of that money…you could understand any fan throwing in the towel.
But for one day, the fans as a collective have to park that ill will and make Goodison Park a cauldron of noise.
Bournemouth are safe and, metaphorically at least, on the beach. With the visitors having nothing to play, Everton are likely to be the team more up for it.
Goodison at its loudest can be a truly intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams, and a vociferous backing may be the spur a struggling squad needs to get the job done.
Survival is crucial at a time the financial situation at Everton remains pretty perilous.