Everton: Paul Merson makes ‘bouncing’ prediction for West Ham clash after appeal verdict
Paul Merson has tipped Everton to end a nine-game winless Premier League run when they face West Ham on Saturday (2 March).
This week, the Toffees had an appeal against a 10-point deduction for a breach of Profit and Sustainability Rules partially upheld and consequently saw their punishment reduced to six.
Merson thinks that news will have Goodison Park “absolutely bouncing” and can inspire the Toffees to a 2-1 win on home soil.
“Everton got an absolutely massive boost earlier this week as their points deduction was reduced to six from ten, which will allow them to play without fear between now and the end of the season. They aren’t safe yet, but their situation isn’t as bad as it was before, so they just have to ensure they don’t lose too many games,” the Sky Sports pundit wrote for Sportskeeda.
“Sean Dyche and Co have some nice fixtures coming up and Goodison Park will be absolutely bouncing ahead of this game. I think they will make it count and secure a massive win that will take them another step closer to Premier League safety.”
Can Everton beat West Ham at Goodison Park?
Everton’s battle against PSR isn’t over yet of course, they still might be punished further after they were hit with a second breach but there is no doubt the news this week will have brought plenty of relief.
Now, there has to be an upturn on the pitch too, because Everton have failed to win their past nine top-flight games, losing four and drawing five of those games and there is still the very realistic threat of relegation to battle.
In West Ham, they of course come up against a familiar man in the dugout in the form of David Moyes, whose own future has been in doubt in recent weeks due to a poor run of form.
However, the Hammers finally earned a first win of 2024 when Jarrod Bowen scored a hat-trick in a 4-2 beating of Brentford at the London Stadium on Monday, so Everton will have to guard against a team who finally earned a confidence boost.
In other Everton news, Ian Wright blasted the “embarrassing” appeal news this week.
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