Everton take on Bournemouth this weekend in the Premier League and Sean Dyche needs a result.
Everton slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, and it was a very poor day at the office for the Toffees.
Sean Dyche’s side were second-best all over the park, and Forest really didn’t have to do all that much.
They were organised, and then clinical in the crucial moments, and Everton’s toothless attack was always going to struggle once the Reds took the lead.
It doesn’t get much easier for Everton, with Bournemouth up next.
Bournemouth are similar to Forest in that, they’re a team people didn’t expect much from this season, but are actually flying.
And pundit Paul Merson has now given his score prediction.
Paul Merson gives score prediction ahead of Bournemouth vs Everton
Everton may have held the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City to draws, but the defeat against Forest was highly disappointing, and there is now a bigger emphasis on this game.
Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola have been a breath of fresh air this season, and have some big threats up top.
This will be a hard game at the Vitality Stadium, and it’s vital Everton at least rediscover their defensive solidity on the south coast.
For Paul Merson though, the three points will be going the way of the Cherries – and easily so.
Predicting a rather emphatic 3-0 home win, he told Sportskeeda: “I worry for Everton. They got a draw against Chelsea but I thought they were poor. They are not a team that’s set up to win games. When you are in the relegation battle, draws don’t do any good. In a way, you are better off winning one and losing the next game because that’s more points!
“The fact that Everton managed to walk away with a point against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City is commendable. But they went and lost to Nottingham Forest and must be careful since teams like Ipswich Town and Wolves are starting to pick up more points.
“I have a feeling that Bournemouth will win this game quite comfortably and put Everton in a lot of trouble in the race to avoid relegation.”
Later in the piece, as Merson previewed Wolves and Nottingham Forest, the pundit suggested he fears more for Everton than Wolves right now.
“If I’m being honest, I worry more about Everton than Wolves in the battle to avoid relegation. Wolves have shown enough to suggest they can avoid the drop, I can’t say the same about Everton.”
Although he could really do with three points, Dyche will be backed by The Friedkin Group unless there is a dramatic downturn in results and performances.
What is Everton’s record vs Bournemouth?
Everton fans will certainly be somewhat worried about this game given the form of the two teams.
And there is more reason to worry for Toffees fans – because the club’s recent record against Bournemouth isn’t great.
Everton have actually lost six of the last eight meetings with Bournemouth.
Everton’s all-time record vs Bournemouth
Meetings – 20
Wins – 10
Draws – 2
Losses – 8
via 11v11
And there have only been three instances in that eight-game run where Bournemouth have actually failed to score fewer than three goals.
So undoubtedly, this is a scary fixture – and certainly, Jordan Pickford and co at the back will have to be at their very best to keep their opponents at bay.
