Everton, despite the three-week hiatus from match action, have likely not forgotten the dire situation they remain in.
They are just four points from 18th-placed Nottingham Forest, and are currently mid-way through their second PSR trial, the first of which saw them deducted six points after their appeal.
Their place in the Premier League is far from secure, and as such Sean Dyche has an almighty job on his hands to put aside all this off-pitch turmoil and guide his side to safety.
And that starts again this weekend, with a trip to AFC Bournemouth.
The Cherries pose a real threat despite their struggling start to the season, and are likely huge favourites to taste victory.
So with that just around the corner, Simon Jordan has now made his relegation prediction.
Simon Jordan makes Everton relegation prediction
Speaking live on talkSPORT earlier this morning (26/03, 11:40 am), the former Crystal Palace chairman was rather upfront about his thoughts on Everton’s chances of survival.
He noted, whilst discussing 777 Partners’ proposed takeover: ‘They’re a Premier League club and I think they will be a Premier League football club at the end of this season, so someone is buying into a Premier League football club at not a huge cost of introduction, at a time when the stadium is being developed and built.
‘That’s what they wanted to do, that’s what will take Everton to another level of opportunity, commercially, and ultimately in the end financially.
‘But these guys, people should be mindful of what they’re talking on here.’
Everton can decide the relegation battle with their fixtures
Fortunately, and likely a factor that has been worked into Jordan’s thinking, is that Everton faces all of those in and around the relegation zone before the end of the season.
Therefore, effectively, the relegation battle is in the Toffees’ hands.
In their final eight fixtures, Dyche will have to face off against Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton Town. Even more beneficial is that four of those five will be at home, regardless of how poor their form at Goodison Park has been.
Naturally, there are some tougher clashes mixed in, like a trip to Arsenal and the Merseyside derby, but those are five fixtures that Everton simply must succeed in.
Having it completely down to them to achieve survival marks a bonus which they capitalised upon last season, narrowly so.
Hopefully, they can do so again this campaign, and see Jordan’s prediction come true.