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Everton: Paul Merson shares disadvantage for Toffees ahead of Saints clash

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Image for Everton: Paul Merson shares disadvantage for Toffees ahead of Saints clash

Everton will have to battle against the home advantage to grind out a result this weekend, according to Paul Merson. 

The Sky Sports pundit has been speaking to Sportskeeda ahead of the return of Premier League action, with the Toffees travelling to Southampton on Saturday.

Frank Lampard’s side went into the international break on the back of a big victory against West Ham United at Goodison Park, which saw Everton rise to 13th in the table.

And it was new boy Neal Maupay who secured the points for Lampard’s side with his first goal for the Toffees in what was his second appearance.

But despite coming into the game on the back of an impressive run of form, Merson has suggested the St Mary’s crowd could give the Saints a big boost on their return to domestic action.

Predicting a 1-1 draw, he said: “Everton are far from the best team in the Premier League, but Frank Lampard is getting a tune out of them. Southampton have the home advantage in this fixture and could play out a draw this weekend.”

TIF Thoughts on Merson’s comments…

Southampton find themselves having suffered back-to-back 1-0 defeats in the Premier League, which has left Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side sitting just below the Toffees going into Saturday’s meeting.

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Although the clubs are only separated in the table on goal difference, Lampard’s men are, in contrast, coming into the game off the back of a five-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Out of all the grounds to go to in the Premier League, we are not exactly convinced St Mary’s is a place where the Toffees will be fearing the home crowd.

In a recent survey, the Saints fans were ranked the 16th as the most passionate in the league, which would suggest they may not provide much of an advantage for the home side on Saturday, so we feel Merson may well be proved wrong this weekend.

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