Paul Merson has had his say on Everton's relegation scrap

Paul Merson predicts result of Everton v Nottingham Forest clash after Toffees were 'destroyed'

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

Published on:

19 Apr 2024, 5:10 am

Paul Merson has shared his prediction ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on Sunday (21 April).

Everton were humiliated 6-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday (15 April) night and sit just two points above the relegation zone with six games to play.

The Toffees next face Forest in a relegation six-pointer, but despite the Reds being a place and a point below Everton, Merson told Sportskeeda (18 April) that he believes Forest will have the upper hand at Goodison Park and record a 2-0 away victory.

"The result of this game depends on what Luton do against Brentford", Merson said.

"Everton got absolutely destroyed by Chelsea the other day and they recently fell over the line against Burnley due to a goalkeeping error, so I think Forest will win this one.

"Everton are struggling badly and need to get more points on the board to secure their Premier League status.

"I can't see that happening this week though. Everton 0-2 Nottingham Forest"

Everton in relegation trouble in the Premier League

Everton defeated Burnley in their last match at Goodison Park, winning their first Premier League match since mid-December after 13 straight games - equalling a club record - without victory.

Merson saying that the Toffees "fell over the line" to beat Burnley is accurate after a deflected Arijanet Muric clearance bounced off Dominic Calvert-Lewin and looped into the net.

Any positivity built by that fortunate victory was quashed by a shocking display at Chelsea; 4-0 down at half-time and capitulating further in the second half as the Blues put them to the sword with a six-goal thrashing.

Jordan Pickford and his Everton defence were all at sea as Chelsea scored six times on Monday night.

The heavy loss - one of the biggest in their history - on top of a seemingly never-ending takeover saga rumbling on in the background, means Goodison Park could be far from a happy place come Sunday 21 April.

With Forest in better form than Everton, and Luton having the possibility to leapfrog them both by beating Brentford the day prior, it's a pivotal weekend in both the Toffees' season and their future.

One which, for the Goodison Park faithful, needs to end with Everton proving Merson wrong, and collecting three points to show they're still very much in the Premier League fight.

In other Everton news, Nathan Patterson is awaiting the results of a scan as he sweats on an ankle injury suffered against Chelsea.

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