Everton are straight back into Premier League action, as they face Brentford later today in the 5:30 pm kick-off.
A few weeks ago, this could have been a rather important relegation scrap, but a recent run of results has seen both sides elevate themselves to a position of relative safety.
However, that does not make this game a dead rubber, with plenty still on the line for Thomas Frank and Sean Dyche.
They will want to continue their strong end to the campaign at the expense of today’s opposition, and as such many have struggled to predict the outcome.
David Seaman makes his Everton vs Brentford prediction
Speaking on his podcast, Seaman Says, the former Arsenal goalkeeper was rather dismissive of Everton’s chances of winning today’s match.
Instead focusing on the fortune gained in last weekend’s win over Nottingham Forest, he remained fixated on the three penalty calls which were waved away for the visitors.
Inexplicably pointing the Toffees out to be some ever-fortunate side, that game marked a significant outlier in a season where they have been constantly left wanting by referees.
Seaman predicted: ‘Everton Brentford… Everton had a lot of luck at the weekend. A lot of luck. Depends who’s reffing it.
‘It’s probably Tony Bellew that’s going to be the ref (laughs).
‘I’m going to go with… do you know what? I’m going to go with a Brentford win. They’re just free-wheeling now, they’re safe. Everton have still got a lot to do. I’ll go 2-1 Brentford.’
Everton cannot be written off
It’s quite ironic that Seaman suggests that Brentford are already safe, when Everton actually have the opportunity to leapfrog them with a win today.
They are just two points behind the Bees, and whilst both sides are enjoying an upturn in form, it is the Toffees who will likely fancy themselves far more than the visitors after such a historic result.
To dismiss Dyche’s side is a bold move, when they are so wildly inconsistent and continue to prove people wrong at every turn, whether that be for better or for worse.
Should they win today, top-flight safety would be all but secured.
Surely that is more than enough incentive for Everton to be the side with far more impetus than Brentford?
Regardless, this will be a home side left somewhat ravaged by recent injuries, and therefore somewhat cobbled together. There is every chance that Seaman will be proven correct, but given they have not conceded in their last three home matches, a high-scoring affair this should not be.