Sutton predicts Southampton v Everton scoreline as 'Naive' point raised

Chris Sutton has predicted “naive” Southampton will struggle against Everton but will grind out a share of the spoils on Saturday (2 November).

Sean Dyche’s side stretched their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five matches last weekend as Beto salvaged a point for the Blues with a 94th-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Fulham at Goodison Park.

However, Everton are facing a second winless side in a matter of weeks and, while they comfortably recorded a 2-0 victory away against Ipswich Town, Sutton is expecting a different outcome against Southampton in his Premier League predictions for BBC Sport [31 October].

He said: “Everton’s late equaliser against Fulham helped get me a predictions win last week, and I am going for another 1-1 draw this time too.

“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.

“Prediction: 1-1.”

Everton must shore up the backline against Southampton

The Blues have enjoyed a remarkable turnaround of fortunes in the Premier League recently, but problems still exist for Dyche at both ends of the pitch.

While Michael Keane has excelled in the business end of the field, his defensive frailty remains a cause for concern at Goodison Park – the 31-year-old should make way for Jarrad Branthwaite this weekend, with the centre-back expected to make his long-awaited return.

Southampton have only managed six goals in the league this season, but seeing Branthwaite lineup alongside James Tarkowski would go a long way to ease the supporters’ concerns heading into the clash at St Mary’s.

With James Garner confirmed to be sidelined until the November international break, Ashley Young has every chance of retaining the right-back role, and his unpredictability certainly throws a spanner into the works.

However, Dyche’s problems lay further up the pitch. Dwight McNeil missed the latest training session at Finch Farm heading into the weekend, and though the goals may have dried up in the past few outings, his absence would be a great miss for the Blues.

Only five points separate Everton from the relegation zone. Should Dyche return to Merseyside empty-handed this weekend and Ipswich Town beat Leicester City, the gap will reduce to two points and erase all the hard work from the past five matches.

The Blues should still have enough firepower in Iliman Ndiaye and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to get the job done, but Dyche cannot afford to take anything for granted. Each match is a must-win for his side.

In other Everton news, Newcastle United are among several options for Dominic Calvert-Lewin as he seeks opportunities to leave the Toffees.

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