Chris Sutton talking nonsense with Everton prediction v Bournemouth
Everton take on Bournemouth this Saturday and Chris Sutton has demonstrated a lack of faith in Sean Dyche’s side as he previewed the game.
Sutton gave his weekly round of BBC Sport predictions for the Premier League (2 January) and opted for a 1-0 defeat for the Toffees at the Vitality Stadium, citing the obvious lack of goals so far across the campaign.
Everton drew a blank last time out at home to a flying Nottingham Forest side (29 December), but it cannot be forgotten that although their defending against Bournemouth earlier this season at Goodison contrived to somehow hand the Cherries all three points, the two goals scored that day at least showed a capability of breaching Andoni Iraola’s backline.
Sutton said: “Everton have only managed 15 Premier League goals this season. Southampton are the only team to have scored fewer, and finding the net is clearly an issue for Sean Dyche’s side.
“Everton capitulated against Bournemouth at Goodison Park in August, losing 3-2 after leading 2-0 with three minutes to go, but it is hard to make a case for them this time because of their lack of firepower.
“Bournemouth denied me some prediction points with their late equaliser against Fulham on Sunday and there is a reason they are in seventh place – they create a lot of chances, and I am expecting them to edge this. 1-0.”
Everton underdogs but can shock Bournemouth
This certainly doesn’t serve to undermine Bournemouth but more place a little more faith in an Everton side whose paltry goals record this campaign has become a reasonable but easy stick with which to beat them.
The hosts will be favourites for the clash, having clawed their way to seventh in the Premier League without defeat since 23 November. That came at home to Brighton; Everton on their day have recently proven themselves to stand toe-to-toe for 90 minutes with several of the league’s elite.
Had the Toffees not claimed a point apiece against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in December, there would be little hope for them down on the South Coast. But a different side to Dyche’s men has been seen in recent weeks, even despite the Forest defeat and the lack of attacking firepower. The right team can not only create chances against Iraola’s men but take them – and with their recent defence, they may just need to take one.
The new hierarchy on Merseyside will be looking to address the obvious long-term attacking issue, of course – but it becomes the reason why Everton supposedly cannot pick up a result against any opponent.
Dyche’s resilient Everton team will be hard to break down; if Bournemouth are to claim their win without reply as Sutton predicts, the Cherries must score early.
In other Everton news, Dyche laughs off the mere mention of Neal Maupay.
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