Everton’s relegation chances are subject to intense scrutiny.
After all, given the random nature of results for most teams down that end of the table, plus the looming threat of another points deduction for two sides, it is nearly impossible to predict how this might end.
Especially when there are so many sides involved too, with just seven points separating Luton Town in 18th and Crystal Palace in 14th.
Well, two Sky Sports pundits have actually now come to an agreement on one relegation claim…
What Paul Merson and Darren Bent said about Everton on Sky Sports
Starting off proceedings, Paul Merson would first outline his thoughts on both Luton Town and Everton as they both strive to achieve safety.
He noted on Sky Sports: ‘You look at the fixtures, it’s all about timing. It’s when you play someone. You might look at a game and think ‘Oh that’s a difficult one’… You remember not that long ago Bournemouth were struggling like crazy, then they go and play Newcastle at home who had 11 players out, they go and beat Newcastle and they start their run up the table. It’s all about timing.
‘At the moment I still back Luton, I still think Luton get out of it. I like Luton’s fixtures, I think they’re a different beast at home and I think they win today and they’re right in this.
‘My worry would be Everton because they keep going under the radar, and they keep on losing football matches. And the worrying thing is sometimes they keep on playing well and losing football matches. That’s even more of a worry. So, for me, I think Luton get out of it still.’
Darren Bent concurred with his assessment of the Hatters, tipping another side for the drop: ‘At the start of the season, when they first came up, I thought they would be dead certs to go down. And how wrong was I because they’re fighting tooth and nail? As Merse said there, they’re a different beast at home.
‘I think, even the games they’ve lost at times, they should have taken more points at home than they’ve currently got. I think they’ve lost something like 16 points from winning positions, which is scary as well. I think Luton will survive. I do worry about Forest.’
A favourable round of Premier League results for Everton
Although they did not play, Sean Dyche’s men actually enjoyed quite a positive weekend given the results of the fixtures that were in action.
After all, there was a worry that one of Nottingham Forest, Luton Town or Brentford might pull away with wins as they all faced relegation rivals.
However, the final scores certainly favoured Everton, who remain 16th in the table, their position unchanged, and now boast a game in hand on all those around them.
A late goal for Rob Edwards’ men snatched three points from the Tricky Trees, whilst Burnley brushed aside the Bees to claim their first win in 11 Premier League matches.
As such, with a win in their next match, the Toffees could end up 15th and six points away from the bottom three.