Everton relegation prediction made by Andy Hinchcliffe on Sky Sports in ‘horrendous’ verdict
Andy Hinchcliffe has predicted Everton will cope with the “horrendous” pressure that comes with fighting for survival in order to stay in the Premier League.
The Toffees are two points above the relegation zone with a game in hand after having a further two points deducted earlier this week for PSR breaches.
Everton are away at Chelsea next up on Monday (15 April), before then hosting fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest the following weekend in a huge contest.
Speaking on Sky Sports News [11 April, 10:43am], Hinchcliffe said: “The win over Burnley wasn’t pretty but it was so, so important. But it’s the games to come as well.
“Everton have home games against Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Sheffield United, plus Luton Town away from home. Once again, I think the fans will drag the team and players over the finish line and once again they will stay in the Premier League.
“The mess that’s been caused off the field is consequently being felt by the fans, but they’ve showed resilience before and I’d back them again to get the job done.
“With Forest it’s intriguing because they’ve slid down the league into trouble. Everton will be more accustomed to the points deduction. I’m covering the upcoming game between them and that’s absolutely crucial for both teams.
“It’s about playing under pressure and coping with it. I’ve played at the bottom of the table and it’s horrendous; you can’t play your natural game.”
Everton v Nottingham Forest could yet be decisive
The two-point deduction has Everton in even deeper trouble, but thankfully it came on the back of a much-needed victory against Burnley a couple of days earlier.
Still, there is every chance Everton and Forest could occupy 17th and 18th place come their showdown in 10 days’ time, as Luton face Brentford a day earlier (as well as Manchester City away this weekend).
Luton have battled away valiantly and have a realistic chance of staying up after the points deductions for Everton and Forest. Even with eight points taken away, Everton really should be finishing above the Hatters.
Before that match at Goodison Park comes a trip to Chelsea, and the Blues are hardly a force to be reckoned with right now. A victory at Stamford Bridge would lift a lot of pressure heading into the Forest game.
Even with the latest deduction, the players showed against Burnley that they can get the job done. Let’s just hope for more of the same across this crucial run of fixtures.
In other Everton news, Jason Burt has laid bare the fiasco surrounding the Toffees and Forest.
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