Across separate predictions, former top flight stars Paul Merson and Chris Sutton heap praise on Everton yet still believe three points are out of reach
Paul Merson believes Southampton’s playing style is only fit for video games while Chris Sutton thinks Sean Dyche’s “streetwise” Blues will be a test for the “naive” Saints.
Yet neither pundit has predicted a win for Everton this weekend as they travel to the south coast to face a club winless so far in the Premier League.
The stakes are therefore high for Russell Martin’s team, which won at Goodison Park in a Carabao Cup penalty shootout earlier this season.
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As a result, the pair seem to think Southampton might take something from their ‘must-win’ game even though both highlight the potential for Martin’s side to fall into Dyche’s trap.
In his preview on Sportskeeda, Merson has little good to say about Southampton yet still ends up plumping for them to win.
In an overview that sets out how Everton may well end being too efficient for the home side, he said: “Everton will know exactly how Southampton will want to play against them. The Saints will take a million chances by trying to play out from the back and Sean Dyche will have a plan ready. Someone should tell Southampton that this kind of stuff only works on PlayStation.
“Everton are now five games unbeaten and are enjoying a bit of a good run. They will squeeze Southampton and it will only be a matter of time before Everton get the ball and score in my opinion.”
Yet despite that thought process, he believes Southampton will triumph 2-1.
Meanwhile, over on the BBC, Sutton is also concerned about Southampton’s style and is at least forthcoming in his belief Everton will continue their unbeaten run – which saw them win at Ipswich Town on their last trip away from Merseyside.
Sutton said: “The way both teams approach the game is interesting. Sean Dyche’s side have got the nous and are streetwise, while Southampton are viewed by many as being naive and playing fantasy football, with their style of play under Russell Martin.
“You look at the games that Saints have thrown away – like they did against Leicester and Ipswich – and you feel like Dyche will have hope on Saturday even if his side are trailing late on.
“I really enjoyed seeing Dyche put centre-half Michael Keane up as a makeshift centre-forward to mix things up against Fulham, and his Everton team never lie down, which is why I think they will get something out of this game too.”
