Everton-Southampton is a match valid for the 20th day of the Premier League and is played on Saturday at 4pm: stats, TV, line-ups, predictions
This weekend Goodison Park will be the scene of a heart-stopping salvation clash between Everton and Southampton, who currently occupy respectively the third-last and last place in the Premier League table. There is more at stake than just three points as both sides have had a disastrous first half of the season and the risk of relegation is now very high.
Frank Lampard’s bench is getting hotter and hotter. More was expected from the former Chelsea captain and coach after the break. The point won at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City is an absolutely remarkable feat, but the two heavy home defeats against Wolverhampton and Brighton, which gave the Toffees a total of six goals, and who were also beaten badly in the third round of the FA Cup by Manchester United, are also weighing heavily. The defence, in short, is treading water and at the same time the attack continues to score with the dropper: only Wolverhampton and Nottingham Forest scored fewer goals than Everton (14 goals) in the first half of the season.
Lampard hopes Calvert-Lewin’s full-time return will bring benefits sooner rather than later before the situation becomes even more complicated. The match with Saints smacks of a last resort for the coach: another defeat could even result in his dismissal.
Djenepo celebrates goal at City
The Prediction
The unexpected win against City in the League Cup could be a turning point in Southampton’s season, a way to regain confidence and turn things around. But the one with Everton is a sort of play-off, in which the loser really risks big. That is why it is difficult to say anything about the final result: we imagine a tight game, with less than four goals in total and two of the worst teams in the Premier League on the pitch. Lampard’s men should be able to avoid defeat.
The Everton-Southampton line-up probables
- EVERTON (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Doucouré, Gueye, Onana; Gray, Calvert-Lewin, McNeil.
- SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1): Bazunu; Lyanco, Caleta-Car, Salisu, Walker-Peters; Lavia, Diallo; Djenepo, Ward-Prowse, A. Armstrong; Mara.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
