Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has predicted that Everton and West Ham will play out a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park on Sunday, describing the clash as a “massive match.”
West Ham travel to Merseyside looking to earn their first points of the season after four straight defeats, while Everton are looking to get back in the win column after a draw against Huddersfield last time out.
Merson has predicted that the two sides will play out a score draw on Sunday afternoon, highlighting Everton’s long injury list as a factor in his decision.
In his predictions for Sky Sports, he said: “Woooah. Massive match.
“If West Ham get beaten here, they could be up against it. Look at their next two fixtures: Chelsea and Manchester United. They could start the season with seven straight defeats!
“However, Everton have got a lot of players missing for this one. And in fairness to West Ham, they could have beaten Arsenal and Wolves with a little more luck. Score draw.”
OPINION
It is certainly set to be an interesting match at Goodison Park on Sunday, with both sides going through a tough time for differing reasons. West Ham are obviously reeling from their poor start to the season, with Manuel Pellegrini’s side the only team in the Premier League who are yet to earn a point. A gutting last-minute loss to Wolves last time out will have knocked even more wind out of their sails, and they will be looking to bounce back after a well-timed international break. Everton have enjoyed a solid if unspectacular start to the campaign under Marco Silva, with six points from their four games, but a mounting injury list is a huge concern for the Toffees. Up to twelve players could be out for this match, and Silva will have to be inventive if he wants to work out a team that can beat a solid, and healthy, West Ham side.